The Nightly Daily

Blissfully mild winter (so far)

2012-01-27T20:31:00.001-06:00

I no longer try to hide my contempt for winter. It is my least favorite season, and its primary purpose to me is that it is a bridge between my two favorite times of year (autumn and spring).

Yes, winter can be a bleak time. It is a time of little sunshine, cold winds, and prolonged periods of time indoors. I know going through times like these help us appreciate better parts of the year, but I think I have learned enough lessons and would like the warmer weather to arrive.

Unfortunately, we are only a little over one month through the season. Though I could look at this in a pessimistic way, I will not because we have been blessed with a relatively mild winter so far. Of course, this could all quickly change, but like I just wrote, I want to look at this positively.

Perhaps we are due an easy winter. The last two have been cold, and last year, it seemed like snow was in the forecast every few days. As a child, this would have been a wonderful occurrence, but as adults know, we can not just sit at home every time the weather is bad.

The best aspect of this is that we are only a few weeks away from exiting the portion of winter that typically has the worst weather. The coldest and snowiest part of the season is from early January until mid-February. So, we are roughly three weeks away from leaving our best opportunities for awful conditions.

But does this mean we are totally out of the woods? Of course not. In fact, the worst snow storm I can remember did not happen until mid-March. Known as the Superstorm of 1993, it was a weather system that paralyzed most of the eastern part of the country.

In Manchester, we got around 10 inches of snow. It was a remarkable storm. Though it was difficult to do, I can remember driving around town.

The hotels were packed with college students who were stranded here during spring break. The interstate was closed for a period of time so they had no place to go.

In an odd way, maybe they were foreshadowing the arrival of Bonnaroo years later. If young people could have fun here during a snow storm, I can understand why a music festival would succeed here on such a grand scale.

Still, I am anticipating the arrival of mid-February and the gradual turn of the season toward spring. The turn is a gradual one, and if a person is not looking for it, he will miss it.

Even now, daylight is lasting a little longer. By mid-February, this fact will be more noticeable. We will begin to notice that we are not driving to and from work in the dark anymore.

Also, cold snaps will be less frequent. If winter continues on the mild trek it is on now, maybe we will not notice this much either. Still, it is something that is noticeable if we will only pause to do so.

However, I am only speculating at what will happen. Just because things have happened in the past does not mean they will happen again this year. Predicting weather is often like a sophisticated form of gambling where the experts guess at what is most likely to happen. Meteorologists often do a good job of it, which is why they get to make a living out of telling us what the weather might do.

As for me, I will be patient. I will pray for an early spring and do so earnestly.

'Ron's BBQ and Fish' worth a visit

2012-01-22T15:46:00.003-06:00

I highly recommend 'Ron's BBQ and Fish' located at the corner of Antioch Pike and Blue Hole Road in Antioch. I had fried chicken, green beans and creamed potatoes. The potatoes were genuine creamed potatoes and not the lumpy mashed potatoes served at most restaurants. Additionally, my piece of chicken took up half the plate. It was a mighty tasty meal.

Meat and three's are the way to go. This year, I want to forget that fast food restaurants even exist.

'The Office' in transition

2012-01-21T13:30:00.003-06:00

Maybe I am a snob when it comes to comedy on television, but I do not like most of it. When I watch most comedies, I get the overwhelming urge to take a nap.

This is especially so when it comes to new shows, and while watching them, I wonder how most of them got made. Seriously, what network executive thought 'Whitney' is funny?

Still, there are some shows that are clever and funny. For most of its existence, 'The Office' has fit that category. Like most great shows in television history, the show has had a star, but its strength is the quality of the ensemble cast around the star.

We have seen this repeatedly over the years. Legendary shows like 'The Dick Van Dyke Show,' 'The Andy Griffith Show,' 'Cheers,' and 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show' all had a clear lead actor, but the show's richness was derived from the sheer quality around the leading character.

Until this season, Steve Carell was the star of 'The Office.' His performance as the tone deaf boss 'Michael Scott' was remarkable in many ways. We all have had bosses who were totally self-absorbed and had a knack for saying the wrong thing at the worst time.

In addition to Carell, the show's supporting cast thrived in his presence. Throughout the show's first seven seasons, viewers got to see these characters blossom. The budding romance and eventual marriage of 'Jim' and 'Pam' and the wacky antics of 'Dwight Shrute' brought a lot of flavor to the show.

However, at the end of last season, Carell left the show to devote more time to his film career. This is understandable because his career on the big screen has gained momentum over the last few years.

This left 'The Office' with a sizable hole to fill, and so far, the results have been mixed. While the show remains funny, the loss of his talent remains a void. The ensemble cast is still strong, but the changes caused by Carell's departure have yet to come together.

The primary example of this is James Spader's addition as 'Robert California.' The character is meant to be a kind of mysterious CEO that nobody can quite understand or feel comfortable around.

While this type of character might eventually develop into another offbeat person in an office of misfits, it really is not working at this time. The character as he has been presented so far disrupts the flow of each episode as everybody freezes in his presence.

Also, the elevation of the 'Andy Bernard' character (portrayed by Ed Helms) to the office manager is a work in progress. In some respects, maybe the show's executives wanted to cushion the blow caused by Carell's departure.

This is because the 'Bernard' character is similar to Carell’s character in that it is providing a lot of insecurity and buffoonery to the office manager position. True, the character is not being done with the same narcissism as the 'Michael Scott' character, but the similarities are obvious.

The bottom line is the show is at a crossroads. Will it transition into a new and creatively appealing period? Or has it started sliding downward as most long-running shows eventually do?

Time will tell, but decline is inevitable with comedies. At some point, the envelope cannot be pushed any further. Only a handful of shows have stopped while at the top, and many push forward until the decay is painful to watch (remember the final seasons of 'M*A*S*H*'?)

I am hoping for the best, but it may be time to be a realist about the situation. At least, the good seasons can be relived in syndication.

2012 Tennessee Volunteers football schedule more inviting than last season

2012-01-19T19:14:00.003-06:00

Put simply, the 2011 football season was one to forget for the Tennessee Volunteers. After a promising 3-1 start, the team fell apart in October and November because of key injuries and a difficult schedule. Of course, this does not really explain the disastrous loss to Kentucky to end the season, but I am doing my best to forget that happened.

As the new year begins, let us look at the 2012 football schedule:

Sept. 1 -- vs. North Carolina State (at Atlanta)

Sept. 8 -- vs. Georgia State

Sept. 15 -- vs. Florida

Sept. 22 -- vs. Akron

Sept. 29 -- at Georgia

Oct. 13 -- at Mississippi State

Oct. 20 -- vs. Alabama

Oct. 27 -- at South Carolina

Nov. 3 -- vs. Troy

Nov. 10 -- vs. Missouri

Nov. 17 -- at Vanderbilt

Nov. 24 -- vs. Kentucky

At first glance, the schedule is much more manageable than last year (of course, this point of view could change once the season begins). Gone from last year’s schedule are LSU and Arkansas. Since both teams figure to be ranked in the preseason Top 10 next season, I won't shed any tears about not having to play them. Mississippi State and Missouri replace them in 2012.

The non-conference schedule is similar to last year's slate in that the Volunteers play one pretty good team and three pushovers. The opener against North Carolina State is a key to the season. That last sentence alone is an indication of how far the Tennessee program has fallen in the last 10 years. Back then, a game against a pretty good team from the Atlantic Coast Conference would have seemed right up our alley. Not now, however. After last season's fiasco, a loss in this game will only ramp up the negative mojo. It could be a setback from which the team cannot recover.

For season ticket holders, it is good that both the Florida and Alabama games are at home. Last season's home slate was kind of weak, so at least bigger names are visiting Neyland Stadium in 2012. Of course, in recent years, it has become a lot easier for fans of opposing teams to get tickets to games. Therefore, expect to see a lot of blue and orange and crimson and white at those games.

I will break down the season as we get closer to it. Obviously, this is a critical season for head coach Derek Dooley. People speculate about how many wins he has to get to keep his job, but I do not look at it that way. I need to see substantial improvement from the team. We could win eight games next season, but that would not necessarily mean we are seeing substantial improvement. It is not only who we beat but how we beat them.

Vols fans will be sitting on pins and needles this fall to say the least.

Quote of the day: Mark Twain

2012-01-13T22:36:00.001-06:00

"Heaven goes by favor; if it went by merit, you would stay out and your dog would go in." -- Mark Twain.

No more human touch

2012-01-13T22:30:00.001-06:00

The opinion of many is the level of customer service people enjoy has dramatically slipped over the years. My initial response is to agree with this point of view.

However, after thinking deeply about this for a few minutes, I am not so sure. After all, we all tend to romanticize the past. Experiences from decades ago are often remembered as being sweeter than they probably were.

Still, the level of customer service we experience is an interesting topic. I recently watched a documentary on the CNBC television network titled 'Customer Disservice' that analyzed the efforts of big companies to provide customer service and the attitudes of people toward them.

The program focused mostly on the roll call centers play in servicing customers, and it was not a pretty picture. For all the rhetoric companies speak about taking customer needs seriously, they are streamlining more and more the processes they use to interact with the public.

The results are most people experience unsatisfying encounters with companies, and look forward to calling them with the same eagerness most of us have when visiting the dentist.

Let us not be so one sided though. Customers often view the relative anonymity of these phone calls as an opportunity to be rude and somewhat brutal. After all, we all tend to get braver when we do not have to stand face to face with the person we are telling off.

My primary fascination with this topic is that I used to work in the customer service industry. I worked in call centers for two large companies, and I have to agree with a lot of what I heard from that documentary.

I understand the frustration of customers. Companies have streamlined their interactions with customers so much that it has become cold and impersonal. All the marketing campaigns in the world cannot cheer up a customer if their experiences make them feel like a number.

On the other hand, I understand where companies are coming from as well. Customers want services provided as efficiently and cheaply as possible, and companies are under pressure to provide it. Customers can sometimes want the world, but they do not want the fall out that can come with that.

The situation is definitely a double-edged sword. With the situation, we find the customer service professionals that must deal with the demands from the public and the indifference they receive from their employers.

These people are in a tough spot. Depending on the company for which they work, they are expected to field about 100 calls per day on a variety of topics. On each of them, they are expected to balance the interests of their employer while helping the customer.

Even the best professionals are human, and therefore, make mistakes. Their employers micro-manage them with an assortment of metrics, and the weight of these expectations leads to high turnover and burnout.

So, when customers call a company, these are facts that are worth remembering. Nobody should settle for second-rate service, but understanding the circumstances of the people you are dealing with may help communication between the two sides.

It was my experience that successful resolutions to problems most often took place when a customer did call not talk to me like they were breathing fire. When both sides remained rational, it was a lot easier to make progress. When somebody screamed at me, it made it more difficult to get at the root of their problem.

This issue will likely remain a problem in the immediate future. Companies try to deliver more with less, and the breaking point may be coming soon...if it isn't already here.

Republican race far from settled

2012-01-07T13:32:00.001-06:00

After months of build up, the Iowa caucuses finally took place last Tuesday as Republicans began the process of choosing who their nominee will be for the 2012 presidential race.

Whew! The hype leading up to Tuesday’s caucuses was as bad as the hype will be when the Super Bowl takes place in a few weeks. Since last summer, GOP candidates have risen and fallen in the polls like the temperature.

First it was Michele Bachmann, then Rick Perry, then Herman Cain, then Newt Gingrich, then Ron Paul. The only constant has been former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney who has been toward the top of the polls since the beginning.

It is almost as if the media and the Republican Party have been trying to manufacture a compelling race between two candidates. Romney is obviously one of them but the other changes by the week.

Now that the Iowa caucuses have happened, there has been a lot of talk in the mainstream media about certain candidates having momentum and others being in trouble. This may be so.

However, there is one fact everybody must keep in mind at this point. Only one GOP candidate since 1972 has won the Iowa caucuses and gone on to win the presidency. Just one.

So, what does this mean? It means a lot of twists and turns remain in the Republican campaign. As that factoid proves, an early win in Iowa does not guarantee a win in November or even the party nomination.

I often wonder why so much emphasis is put on the Iowa elections. It is just one state of 50 that will be going through this process this year. Demographically, it is pretty generic and does not represent the cultural diversity of the United States.

Maybe its importance has more to do with our nation's short political attention span.

We live in an instant gratification society, so there is often a rush to declare a competition complete before it is complete. It is like this in all aspects of American life. It seems experts like to be the first to declare somebody or something the winner.

Especially in politics, the public seems to fall in line with this. In recent years, the public has viewed the election process as a necessary evil, and most want it over as soon as possible.

Still, it is a big mistake to take this approach. The electing of a president should be a marathon and not a sprint. However, we appear to be going the other direction when it comes to this.

The primary season has been watered down to a couple of months. This was not always the case. A generation ago the primary campaign continued into June where it climaxed with the California primary.

Despite how difficult it can be to remain focused on the presidential campaign, it is important to follow it. I can understand why people get discouraged though.

There is a lot of negativity to it. It seems when one candidate surges he or she is attacked with ruthless precision. And everything is fair game when these attacks begin.

It may be a skeleton from a candidate's personal life that occurred decades ago. It may be a slip of the tongue a person makes when under the glare of increased media scrutiny. It may be one bad decision that has nothing to do with a person’s qualifications to be president.

The bottom line is running for president is not for the faint of heart. Following the process is also not for the faint of heart.

Electing a president is like watching sausage being made. We may like the result, but it is brutal to watch.

'It's A Wonderful Life' is a glorious film

2012-01-07T13:25:00.001-06:00

Most people have traditions they like to observe during the Christmas season. Each of these traditions is special, and for many, they are reminders of a time in the past that was sweet and memorable.

A tradition that I recently dusted off was watching the film 'It's A Wonderful Life' starring Jimmy Stewart. As my life has unfolded, this movie has become required viewing in late December.

Though this film has become a part of Americana in recent years, it was not always that way. When it was released in 1946, it was something of a box office disappointment. I stumbled across the film by accident back in the 1980s.

It was Christmas Eve, and I was surfing through my television channels. I found the movie and only began watching it because I could not find anything else worth viewing. As I watched, its beauty unfolded in my heart.

In the following years, millions went through the same thrill of discovery I did. For a while, the film was broadcast dozens of times each December though in recent years it is not being shown as much.

For many, the film presents life as we wish it could be. The film follows the story of George Bailey (portrayed by Stewart), and it culminates with his friends rescuing him when all seemed lost. The film is a reminder that no person is a failure who has friends. The fact that its conclusion is set during Christmastime adds all the more to its holiday appeal.

Critics of the film have dismissed it for being too sentimental. Actually, sentimentality is a common thread through many of Frank Capra’s films. Capra directed 'It's A Wonderful Life' as well as other well-known films like 'Mr. Smith Goes To Washington.'

However, sentimentality is not necessarily a bad thing. Given how cynical our world has become, we need to look for it wherever we can. While I agree people can waste time living too much in the past, seeing where we came from can have a big impact on where we are going as a nation.

The sentimentality of the film can oversimplify the way life was generations ago. As an old chemistry teacher I had once said, "The good ol' days weren’t always so good."

And he was right. When this film was made, there were a lot of social issues that divided people. For example, legalized segregation still had a stranglehold on the South. For victims of that policy, I am sure they would argue the past was not as sweet as 'It's A Wonderful Life' portrays.

However, I do not believe that is the point. A movie like this is a reminder of what we are capable of and what we would like to be.

The film reinforces concepts like people working together and loving their neighbor as they love themselves. Simple concepts, but we do not see them flourishing in our communities as we should.

Films, like most forms of media, can have a tremendous impact on society. While people have the free will to make their own decisions, our decision making is easily influenced by what we see and hear.

While a lot of Hollywood's films today are lackluster and lack creativity, movies like 'It's A Wonderful Life' remind us this type of entertainment can be a bully pulpit when shaping mass opinion.

It is too bad that more filmmakers will not take chances and make statements with their films. I understand why they will not because movie making is big business, and if a person's movie flops, they often do not get a second chance.

Still, I would like to see somebody take a chance.

Fun and brain injuries

2012-01-01T17:34:00.002-06:00

Like most men my age, I enjoy sports a lot. Every season of the year is identifiable with a sport in my household.

Right now, I watch plenty of football. The college bowl season is about to hit its climax, and the National Football League is chugging toward its playoffs. Life is fun when it comes to this aspect of life.

However, like with most things, a dark cloud of seriousness hovers around these events. While football is exciting, we should not lose sight that it is a tremendously physical sport and leaves some of its participants with health concerns that are long lasting.

We were reminded of this recently when more than 20 former NFL players sued the league claiming it failed to adequately treat them for concussions they suffered while playing. These players claim the concussions have led to severe and permanent brain damage that is linked to the league's lack of action.

The NFL denies the accusations and plans to vigorously defend itself in court. This will likely be a long and drawn out process and will remain in the courts for the next several years.

Since I am neither a doctor nor an attorney, I have no idea how this will all play out in the courts. However, I am sure it will be as hotly contested as any Super Bowl.

As fans, we often lose sight of how dangerous this sport can be. It is physically punishing and from the security of our living rooms, we do not get the full impact of just how painful the contact is on the field.

Hip and knee replacement surgeries are common for many former players. These health problems can be very expensive especially for those who played before players began making big money.

In my lifetime, I can remember when even star players had to have second jobs in the off season. Now, many of these players have hit hard times because of the financial and personal toll their football injuries had on them.

In the coming weeks, there will be much hype as the NFL playoffs unfold, leading up to the Super Bowl in early February. Though there will likely be some debate on this topic, I do not expect it to dominate sports coverage.

This is because the NFL is probably the most effective sports league when it comes to shaping its image and guiding how the media covers it. If someone disputes this, keep an eye on how powerful networks like ESPN report on this issue.

ESPN has access to more resources when covering sports than any other outlet on the planet, but so far it has taken a pretty hands off approach to this issue. Why is this?

We can only speculate, but the network does have a multi-year contract with the NFL worth hundreds of millions of dollars. It may be cynical to suggest the cozy relationship between ESPN and the NFL has caused the network to play nice on this issue, but we do live in a cynical world, don't we?

As fans, we need to show more sensitivity toward the sacrifices players have made and continue to make. It is tough to show sensitivity toward people making millions of dollars, but it is an effort we must make. I agree nobody has forced them to make the career choices they have made, but that should not give us an excuse to be callous.

After all, they are on the field to entertain us. The concussions being received, and the bones being broken are for the benefit of us.

If we look at this so personally, maybe our attitudes will change.

Those commuting blues

2012-01-01T17:27:00.002-06:00

As I begin writing this, keep one thought in mind: I am not whining.

We all face situations in our lives that are inconvenient, and when applicable, it is important to share this information with people in the hope that it will benefit them. In that spirit, I share this with you.

Commuting to Nashville can be challenging, and if anybody reading this is considering doing that, I want to share some ideas. I have been commuting from Manchester to Nashville for about 10 years for my job.

When I began doing this, I had no idea it would become a long-term situation, but this is the way it has turned out. With so many people out of work, I am not going to complain about having to drive a long way.

However, commuting is not for everybody, and I hope the following tips will be beneficial if somebody suddenly find themselves in this situation.

The first major point that must be accepted is that people in Nashville simply cannot drive, especially during rush hour. Multiply this fact by a factor of 10 if it is raining.

Once again, I want to emphasize that I am not whining. This is years of experience talking here. On days I wake up and hear it raining, I take a quick shower and get on the road as quickly as possible.

This is because rain adds about 30 to 45 minutes to my drive. As soon as I reach Sam Ridley Parkway in Smyrna, traffic grinds to a halt. We slowly creep our way to Bell Road where traffic mysteriously loosens up. Don't ask me why, but this happens like clockwork.

Also, the traffic reports given on the Nashville radio and television stations are an invaluable help and must be monitored at all times. If there is a wreck on Interstate 24, then I follow the same drill as when it rains. I get out the door as quickly as possible.

On days when it both rains and there are wrecks, the commute comes uncomfortably close to Thunderdome (see the film 'Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome' to know what I am referencing). When this happens, it has already been a bad day, and it is not even 8 a.m. yet.

An aspect of commuting I have never fully understood is how a wreck that happens early can still impact traffic hours after it is cleared. I know studies have been performed that examine this phenomenon, but I just do not get it. If a wreck happens at Old Hickory Boulevard at 7 a.m., a person can bet it will still cause problems later even if the automobiles involved have been cleared.

Also, Wednesday is usually the heaviest day for traffic during morning rush hour. I do not have the numbers to back that up, just years of experience. Mondays and Fridays are lighter because some people take those days off. Summertime is better because the impact of school zones is lessened, plus more people take vacations then.

So, if somebody reading this is considering commuting, take this information to heart. It seems more and more people in Coffee Country are doing this. Urban sprawl is leading more people to live here while working many miles away.

This is a great complement to our community. We live in a nice area that is certainly more affordable compared to the cost of living in Davidson County. The rent for small apartments up there is often as much as mortgage payments here.

In order to live the lives we want to, sometimes we must make sacrifices, and commuting is one many make.

Still do not like those rainy mornings though.

A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

2011-11-27T15:58:00.003-06:00

The holiday season is shaping up to be quite busy so I've decided to take a break from posting new material in December. I just do not believe I can devote the time necessary to produce quality material for the next few weeks. I'll be back in January when I have more time. Until then, I hope those who regularly read this blog have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

'The Nightly Daily' falls one win short on 2011 UT football prediction

2011-11-27T15:51:00.003-06:00

Back in August, The Nightly Daily predicted the University of Tennessee football team would finish with a 6-6 record this year (click here to read). Of course, with Saturday's loss to Kentucky, the Volunteers finished with a 5-7 record. There will be no bowl this year, and the team has posted back-to-back losing seasons for the first time in my lifetime (and that's a long time). After the 3-1 start, the team looked promising, but injuries and an awful offense did them in.

This team has a long way to go.

The thundering herd of shoppers

2011-11-27T15:30:00.001-06:00

It is Thanksgiving weekend, and that can only mean one thing: the race to buy Christmas gifts is under way. In some ways this is an exciting time of year, but it can also be a little disillusioning.

Thanksgiving is a special holiday in many ways, but more and more, there is a rush to get it over with so the focus on Christmas commercialism can begin.

If somebody would dare deny this, he should simply take a peek at the contents of his mailbox in the coming days. It will be stuffed with mailings from businesses wanting us to spend our dollars with them. This does not include the advertising that pelts us from television, radio, newspapers and the Internet wanting our business.

Companies will try every trick in the book to pry their way into our bank accounts.

The last few weeks of the year make or break many businesses. During regular times this is true, but our nation’s economic struggles only intensify this fact. The economy is stagnant at best, and unemployment continues to be a thorn in the side for many.

The national and state unemployment rate remains round nine percent, but the ‘under-employment’ rate is probably closer to 16 or 17 percent. In addition to the unemployed, the underemployment rate includes people who either have been unemployed so long that they no longer draw benefits or people who have had to settle for part-time jobs.

The bottom line is a lot of people are not coming close to working at full capacity. They have so much to offer, but no place to deliver their skills. Because of this, money is scarce and people are going to be very choosey about where they spend it.

Even for those who are prospering now, the decision regarding where to spend money is a big one. I certainly hope most people will make every opportunity to spend here locally.

I know the larger cities just up the interstate are tempting. Murfreesboro is not far away and that city has exploded in size in recent years. Though that city has a lot to offer, it can be a hassle to drive in during this time of year.

The road system there has not kept up with the growth of the city. This means a Saturday afternoon or evening there can rival Nashville during rush hour when it comes to driving.

Because of this, shopping locally can be quite attractive. We can save money on gas and meals by not going to those other cities.

Gas prices will continue above three dollars a gallon through the rest of the year. Even if a person makes a couple of trips to Murfreesboro or Nashville to shop, the cost of travelling there adds up quickly.

Additionally, sales tax is a primary form of revenue generation for our local governments. While a provocative debate can be had regarding whether the sales tax is a fair tax on the poor, it remains a powerful force.

As the cliché goes, money spent here will stay here. In a time of economic strife, doesn't it make sense to serve ourselves before going elsewhere? This seems like a no-brainer, but common sense can vary from person to person.

Please keep in mind that it is understood that we cannot purchase all we want or need here locally. Coffee County has not cornered the market when it comes to goods and services.

The point is that it is more important than ever to spend our money here locally.

Money is a primary way our community remains strong. If we do not shop here, we are just making somebody else strong.

People and failure

2011-11-20T17:45:00.002-06:00

At this point, it has been about two weeks since the scandal at Penn State became big news. During this time, turmoil and change have been the order of the day at the university.

Former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky has been charge with 40 counts relating to child sexual abuse. Of course, these are only charges at this point and Sandusky deserves his day in court.

However, I recommend that people read the grand jury report that summarizes the crimes he is alleged to have committed. It is only 23 pages and is written in a way all can understand. Simply 'Google' it on the Internet, and a person can have it in a manner of seconds.

The allegations are reprehensible, and we should pray that justice is done.

Heads have rolled at the university. The school’s head football coach Joe Paterno and president Graham Spanier have been shown the door. Other employees are on administrative leave. Unfortunately, school officials knew of Sandusky’s activities as early as 1998, but they did not do much about it. We will find out how much they knew in coming months.

The stench from this mess is not going away soon.

The big question is: What do we take away from this? It is a simple question, but the answer is complicated.

This is because we can take this question in a thousand different directions. When I think of this situation, I tend to focus on the failures of mankind.

Obviously, the system failed the victims there. As ESPN analyst Jay Bilas correctly stated, there was a "conspiracy of cowards" when it came to dealing with Sandusky. University officials involved seemed more interested in protecting the school than reaching out to the victims.

In addition to the victims, there has been a lot of collateral damage. Sandusky was a person who was widely respected in the Penn State community. He was part of the community for decades and had endeared himself to many.

To them, he was a hero. Between his success on the gridiron and his efforts to enrich the lives of people, he was thought to be a model of what a man should be.

Now, the people who felt that way are deeply shaken. They wonder if a man who they respected so much can turn out like this, what does it say about mankind?

Actually, it says a lot. It is part of our human nature to put people up on a pedestal. We admire people to a degree that it is impossible for us to imagine them doing any wrong.

We all do this. We may not intentionally do it, but we do. We all have people we admire so much that we cannot imagine them failing.

As well meaning as we may be, we tread on dangerous ground when we do this. This is because we all have frailties nobody else can see. If we admire other people too much, we are setting ourselves up to be let down.

It may not be in as dramatic a way as Sandusky allegedly betrayed those around him. However, if we idolize other people too much, trouble is coming.

It is all about maintaining a proper balance in our lives. We can respect people and look at other people as role models. But that is as far as it should go.

That is easier said than done. How do we know when we are crossing the line when admiring people too much? I don't know. If it was so easy, then we would not have seen the tragedy we just witnessed.

Still, we should strive to maintain that balance. If not, it could cost us big later.

This is not here

2011-11-14T19:21:00.001-06:00

Didn't you read the headline? This is not here. Stop trying to read something that isn't here.

Let's get married

2011-11-12T10:46:00.002-06:00

I have never visited Hollywood, but because of the media, we all get a steady dose of what the culture is like out there.

There are pros and cons to this. On the positive side, it is interesting to see how the other half lives. In the grind of our daily lives, we can fall into the trap of believing that this is all there is. Therefore, it is eye opening to see another approach to life.

On the other hand, there are times when I believe the approach to life out there is crazy. Obviously, I understand that everything seen from Hollywood is through a media filter. Because of this, it is important not to take what is seen at face value. We see what they want us to see.

However, I just do not understand what I see sometimes. The most recent example of this is all the hullaballoo surrounding Kim Kardashian's filing for divorce from Kris Humphries after only 72 days of marriage.

Back in the summer, their wedding was huge news, and it is estimated that Kardashian raked in $18 million from the event. These riches came from money earned through her reality television show and gifts from friends.

Already wealthy, the event showed the young woman to be a sharp businessperson when it came to capitalizing on the event. Still, because of the briefness of the marriage, many are speculating as to whether it was a sham from the beginning.

After all, 72 days is not a long time to put into a marriage. It is one thing if she has legitimate grounds for divorce, but given the cynicism of our culture, many believe this may have been a stunt just to promote the 'Kardashian brand.'

I have no idea if this was a stunt or not. If it was, this would not be the first time somebody has pulled the wool over the public's eyes for a big payday. Still, I have to wonder what kind of example this is to the public.

Treating marriage in such a disposable manner is troubling. Again, if she had legitimate grounds for the divorce, that is one thing. However, nothing has surfaced to indicate that.

Some of the most interesting spin coming out of this situation has been from people who support gay marriage. Some gay marriage supporters have said the Kardashian situation is another example of traditional marriage being treated in a cavalier way.

I can understand their point of view. Though I oppose gay marriage, it has to be very frustrating for homosexuals to see heterosexuals treat the institution in such a flippant way.

If Kardashian did use her marriage to generate a big payday and was a sham, gay marriage supporters must wonder why they cannot be invited to the carnival as well. Most must justifiably feel that they cannot do a worse job than she when it comes to handling this institution.

Cynicism is one of my least appealing traits, but I am oozing cynicism when it comes to the Kardashian marriage/divorce. Then again, maybe my feelings are a sign of the times.

Her wedding generated big ratings for her reality television show, and the money she made cannot be denied. Everything has a price, you know, and I am sure her divorce should make a compelling storyline for her show.

The young women who swoon on every movement Kardashian makes are likely learning from this event. However, I hope they understand how they are being manipulated.

It's all about ratings, and the latest chapter of Kardashian's life should make for a few good episodes of her show. It is nothing more and nothing less.

The wretched status quo

2011-11-07T18:51:00.003-06:00

Is it just me or are there a lot of people living their lives at a level much lower than what they are capable of?

I hope that does not come off sounding condescending or arrogant because the question is not meant that way. It is a question that I ask myself a lot.

At some point in life, we all pause and take stock of the talents we have. We all have at least one talent, and most of us have several. When we recognize the talents we have, I believe most of us make a good faith effort to use them.

However, it is not enough to simply use them. We get in trouble when we only rely on talent to accomplish what we want. If we are honest, we understand our talents will only reach their full maturity when we pause to develop them. I know I am guilty of coasting on my talents too much.

Sports are a great example of this. We all know people who are naturally athletic. It is obvious that God touched them in such a way that they have a natural advantage against the competition.

However, pure talent can only take them so far. The truly greats in athletics often have a relentless work ethic as they develop their talent.

When Tiger Woods was at the top, he was a good example of this. He obviously has been blessed with talent, but the stories are legendary when it comes to the amount of practice he dedicated himself to as he developed his talent.

Though his decision making off the golf course has been shaky, he understood what it took to elevate himself from an excellent golfer to a legend.

The same goes for quarterback Peyton Manning. As the son of legendary quarterback Archie Manning, he was blessed with physical gifts most people do not receive. Like Woods, he understood he could not just rest on the skill with which he had been blessed.

Both in college and the National Football League, stories are well know about his dedication to film study and working out in the offseason. In this case, his willingness to commit will likely result in enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Of course, we can find examples from all walks of life in which people did not coast on their talent. There are plenty of examples involving spiritual leaders, businessmen, and politicians. All these examples show people who wanted to be exceptional instead of ordinary.

Obviously, most of us will not have lives that will play out on a large public stage like the examples just provided. However, this does not mean we should be any less dedicated when developing our talents.

This is because we all are examples to those around us, and we touch each others lives in ways we do not even realize. It is easy to forget that because we cannot see into the hearts of the people around us. We can only see the outer shell, and because of that, it is tempting to believe we do not have much of an impact at all.

We have a choice. We can settle for the wretched status quo or we can strive for greatness. Do not roll your eyes when I use the word 'greatness.' Even though a person’s name will not show up in the history books, it does mean that somebody cannot achieve greatness.

Never underestimate the importance of being a great father or mother or police officer or store owner or friend or secretary.

The decisions we make can have long lasting consequences. It is a decision we must all make.

'The Ides of March' worth seeing as a matinee

2011-11-03T19:47:00.002-05:00

I finally got around to seeing The Ides of March, and I can recommend it. It's not a great film, but it is a slick and entertaining political movie. Strong cast (George Clooney, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ryan Gosling and Paul Giamatti), and even though it is a political film, it is more about backstabbing and betrayal than pushing an agenda. Click here for a full review.

Today's get rich quick scheme: Marry Kim Kardashian

2011-11-02T21:06:00.002-05:00

Cynicism is one of my least attractive qualities. However, it is extremely difficult not to feel cynical about the recent announcement that Kim Kardashian plans to divorce her husband after 72 days of marriage. She raked in $18 million when she got married. Was it all a sham from the beginning? I don't know, but she sure made out like a bandit in terms of money and publicity for her television program. Instead of occupying Wall Street, maybe all those protesters should occupy Ms. Kardashian. She is a remarkable example of cool-headed capitalism.

Evil never wins

2011-11-01T20:31:00.001-05:00

Though progress against evil seems to move slowly, it does move. This progress is often misunderstood as a lack of progress because it goes so slow. Many times, progress against evil moves as slowly as a snail crawling across a highway.

However, when the winds of change finally blow, it is a sweet feeling. People experience one-of-a-kind emotions when a scoundrel gets his comeuppance. At this point, time moves with breathtaking speed. Circumstances that were once thought of as impossibly bad become situations that are filled with optimism.

Anything seems possible when an evil person meets his doom. Eventually, this bubble of optimism bursts as it collides with the real world. However, for a while, everything appears perfect.

I can only imagine that the people of Libya are still enjoying their bubble of optimism. It has been less than two weeks since the death of Moammar Gadhafi, and for a while, they will get to enjoy a honeymoon period as the country decides what its next step will be.

However, the big story is that evil has lost again. It may have taken 42 years, but Gadhafi has been removed from the list of problems that country faces. Libya has been delivered from a really bad person.

Of course, evil manifests itself in a multitude of ways, but one of the most visible ways is when leaders misuse the power they have. History is littered with monsters that misused power and hurt a lot of people.

We can easily list the worst of these leaders. Adolf Hitler. Joseph Stalin. Also, let us not forget evil leaders in recent years such as Saddam Hussein and Osama bin-Laden. Those people were all powerful and unstoppable at some point.

However, all those men mentioned share one thing in common. They were all stopped. Some were overthrown and executed. Others just finally died.

So, for Gadhafi and others like him, their reigns of terror will likely be a blip on the radar of history. They vainly tried to puff themselves up into being great and powerful men, but now, they are just another person who belongs to the ages.

I wonder what it is like to be in Gadhafi’s shoes right now. Most of the world’s major religions teach that in the afterlife people will be held accountable for actions done on earth.

Obviously, it is impossible to absolutely know what he is going through at this moment. I may be overstepping my boundaries, but I cannot imagine things are going too well for him.

I wonder if he is facing all the people he played a roll in torturing and murdering. I wonder if he is facing the women he raped. I know this is pretty graphic, but these are possibilities that must be addressed.

Most of all, I wonder if he is getting a chance to see all the good he could have done if he had used his power in an appropriate way. Maybe he understands now that he could have been more than that blip on the radar if he had used his power for the bettering of mankind.

Now, he has eternity to contemplate what might have been. ‘What if?’ is a question that can haunt us all if we do not make the right decisions.

The solace we can take in this is that the bullies of the moment will eventually get what is coming to them. It may or may not take place in this lifetime, but it will eventually happen.

As sappy as it might sound, good really does triumph in the end. Unfortunately, some people do not realize this until it is too late.

Polls, polls, polls

2011-10-23T18:26:00.003-05:00

We are slightly more than one year away from the next presidential election, and people seeking that office will be using every tool available to measure how they are doing.

Polls are a common tool used by candidates and other outside organizations to measure their success. Since President Barak Obama is not facing opposition for the Democratic nomination, much of the polling focus is on the Republican candidates right now.

In the last few months, we have seen wild swings when measuring the field of candidates. Since the beginning, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has been a GOP frontrunner while others have surged and fallen.

During the summer, Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann found some success then faded when Texas Gov. Rick Perry entered the race. Perry has floundered recently in the polls, and Herman Cain has taken his place as the primary challenger to Romney.

Will Cain have this same success next month? Who knows? The presidential race is a marathon. This means it is too early to discount anybody who is running.

However, we have to be very careful regarding how much influence we allow polls to have over us. As a society, we like receiving updates in short and definite terms. Therefore, polls are attractive to us because they give us an update that shows who is winning and who is not.

Despite this, polls can be misleading. The methodology an organization uses while compiling data is critical, but we hear little discussion about how a poll is tabulated. All we hear are the final results.

Because of this, it is necessary that we take a close look at who takes a poll. News organizations often sponsor these polls, and as we know, some news organizations have bias when it comes to politics.

Therefore, if we read a poll sponsored by MSNBC that is hurtful to a Republican candidate, we need to remember MSNBC's politics lean to the left. Does this necessarily mean the poll cannot be trusted? No, but it is one of the many factors we must consider when digesting information.

The same applies to an outfit like Fox News. Fox leans to the right, and that must be acknowledged when analyzing data about the president or other Democratic leaders.

Many of the polls we are currently seeing are national polls that measure a candidate's popularity. While these polls may have some merit in providing us the pulse of the race, they fall way short when providing information about a candidate's electability.

These general polls are not useful because this is not how we elect the president. We elect a chief executive through the Electoral College. If we genuinely want to use polls to determine who is a frontrunner in the race, we have to use a more specific approach.

The easiest way would be to take polls in all states. Pollsters could give respondents in each state a choice between the president and a specific Republican challenger to measure the strength of both sides. Based on those results, assign the number of electoral votes each state has to the candidate who led in the poll.

Adding up those results will give us a much better idea who is a player in the race.

Most of the polls we see now are not doing this. People who perform these polls appear content to only provide a snapshot of what the field is like today.

This is not necessarily bad. Snapshots have their place, but we have to remember that they do not tell the complete story.

The unfortunate fact is that many are using these snapshots to determine who the most qualified candidate in the race is. And that is a little scary.

Titans beginning critical three-game homestand following bye week

2011-10-18T20:07:00.003-05:00

At the beginning of the season, I believe most Tennessee Titans fans would have been content with a 3-2 start. With so many questions unanswered back in August, most people were hoping the team would just be competitive.

However, in hindsight, it is difficult not to look back at the first five games and not be a little disappointed. This is because the Titans really should have a 4-1 record. The lethargic 16-14 loss to Jacksonville in the opening game is frustrating. Since that game, the Jaguars have not won another game and stand at 1-5.

However, the Titans are in first place in the AFC South with a half-game lead over Houston. The Texans come to Nashville this week, and a win would give the team some cushion in the standings. Actually, the next three games could make or break the Titans season.

After the Houston game, there are two more home games, coming against Indianapolis and Cincinnati. The Colts are winless and are finding life without Peyton Manning to be a struggle. Cincinnati is 4-2, and the rookie tandem of quarterback Andy Dalton and wide receiver A.J. Greene has been one of the surprises of the early season.

If Tennessee wins these three games, they would be 6-2 at the midway point of the season. If they lose one, the team would still be on pace to win 10 wins and have a good shot at the playoffs.

The big question is whether or not the team can continue their improved play. It is possible, but the Titans must get better production out of running back Chris Johnson. He only has one 100-yard game this season and is averaging around 50 yards a game. He will eventually break out, but it needs to happen soon.

Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (1,414 yards passing, nine touchdowns) has been excellent, and his passing has carried the offense through five games. However, circumstances show that this will not continue. After all, he is a 36-year-old quarterback with a history of back problems. At some point, the aches and pains of the season will catch up with him. All the more reason the running game must get revved up.

Additionally, the improvement of the defense must continue. Before the loss to Pittsburgh, the Titans had the number one defense in the league. The Titans lost to the Steelers 38-17. Were the problems in that game an indicator that the defense is coming back down to earth?

Lots of questions remain to be answered. Last year, the Titans began 5-3 before slumping to a final 6-10 record. This could still happen this year. But, right now, I am enjoying the winning.

Watch for walkers

2011-10-16T15:55:00.001-05:00

As I have grown older, walking has become my favorite form of exercise. Most days in the late afternoon, I take a brisk walk near my home in Manchester.

Fortunately, I have plenty of room to take my jaunts. I live near the city park, and during my lifetime, the city has done a nice job developing the park for walkers. From humble origins, a nice greenway has been developed that is a blessing for the city.

The path I usually take meanders through the park back under the Murfreesboro highway. At that point, I take the sidewalk at the bottom of the hill and walk back toward the town square.

The hill there is steep, and in recent years, I have appreciated more what a formidable adversary gravity is. It didn't used to be that challenging, but the relentless march of age has made it more difficult.

A few years ago, the city put a walk signal at the intersection of Fort Street and the highway. I like that because I enjoy walking through the town square as I make my way home. All a person has to do is press a button, and the sign there tells him or her when it is time to cross the road.

In theory, this is a very safe way to cross the road, but I have recently had to cut out that portion of my walk. Unfortunately, many drivers do not know or care that there is a walk signal there for pedestrians. More than once I have had to dance around cars that have tried to turn me into road kill.

The most recent example was a couple of weeks ago. I was walking across the road when a driver turning from Fort Street on to the Murfreesboro highway almost knocked me off my feet. The driver was talking on a cell phone, did not slow down, and missed me by only a couple of feet.

It made me angry, and I wish I had done a better job of thinking on my feet. If I had, I possibly could have gotten the driver’s license plate information. Better yet, I could have "bumped" into the car and flopped onto the pavement.

After that, I could have made one quick call to Bart Durham, and I would have been on the road to Easy Street. There are many healthy-looking people in his commercials that have gotten a lot of money. Durham makes it look simple.

All kidding aside, the unfortunate aspect of my experiences is that I do not think there is anything that can be done to thwart these uncaring drivers. If drivers see people walking across the road and still do not slow down, then they obviously do not care.

I know I am stereotyping here somewhat. The majority of drivers are fine. However, it just takes a few reckless people to cause a horrifying accident.

My thoughts keep going back to that last driver who cut me off. She was talking on her cell phone and appeared oblivious to what was going on.

Her actions are a sign of times. Some people believe they are so important that they can't be away from their phones for a few minutes. Technology is nice, but I view driving my car as an opportunity to get some peace and quiet. Obviously, others do not think that way.

I still take a nice walk. I've just had to modify it somewhat.

That's too bad. Then again, I don't want to become someone's personal hood ornament.

The entire purpose of my walks is to get into better physical shape and not to become a stain on the road.

A movie without popcorn is still a movie

2011-10-13T18:51:00.003-05:00

Recently, I attended a movie, and the price for a large "container" of popcorn was $8.10. Maybe I am a little out of touch here, but who wants to pay eight dollars for popcorn?

The movie I went to see was Moneyball, and it is excellent. Click here for a review of it.

I thoroughly enjoyed the movie, and I did not miss the popcorn one bit.

Quote of the day: Steve Spurrier strikes again

2011-10-09T18:51:00.003-05:00

"Kentucky has a heck of a punter, I know that." -- spoken by South Carolina head football coach Steve Spurrier following his team's 54-3 trouncing of Kentucky on Saturday. Always the master of the back-handed complement, Spurrier found a way to needle his opponent's ineptitude, while masking it as praise.

There's a bad moon rising

2011-10-09T18:39:00.003-05:00

If it is October, it means we are currently experiencing one of the most difficult and horrifying parts of the year. That's right: it is the start of the new television season for the major networks.

This can be a dark and foreboding time. Maybe I am an entertainment snob, but most of what is served to us by the television networks is garbage. Most of it is lightweight and lacking merit. These shows are the equivalent of eating dry toast. They are satisfying in no way and are forgotten as soon as we consume them.

The refreshing part of this is that many of the new shows will likely be cancelled by the time this posting ends. Networks tend to have a quick trigger finger when cancelling new shows and that can be good because many of these terminations are mercy killings.

Still, it never ceases to amaze me that we have so little good entertainment on television these days. The amount of television programming we have access to has exploded during the last 30 years.

When I was a boy, cable television consisted of viewing three stations out of Nashville, Chattanooga, and Huntsville. That was it. Back then, this access seemed like an extravagance, but it was nothing compared to what was to follow.

Beginning in the late 1970s, we got access to 24-hour-a-day movie, sports, and news channels. For a time, it felt like we were exploring an entertainment frontier, but soon, the novelty of it all faded.

Today, we can have access to hundreds of channels, depending on what type of channels we subscribe to. I only have access to about 60 channels on my cable package, but I must admit that I only watch a handful of those.

Some nights I aimlessly surf my channels, looking for entertainment. However, most nights I am disappointed.

The explosion of 'reality' programming has contributed to this lack of entertainment. While there are a few good reality programs, most seem uninspired. One evening, I spent some time watching one channel that dedicated most of its programming to shows in which cars were repossessed from people.

I'm not kidding. The plots of these shows consisted of employees from repossession companies going to get cars from people. Inevitably, people would see their cars being taken, and they would run out and confront the workers. Profanity and violence often followed, and then I realized that I just wasted 10 minutes of my life watching that.

How am I going to get those 10 minutes back? Of course, I can't. It was yet another entertainment decision gone up in smoke.

I'm not naïve enough to think that those shows actually reflected reality. The confrontations appeared staged, and the people involved played for the cameras. So, it's come to this? Fake reality programs?

Reality programs are not the only culprit. There are a lot of bombastic and over-the-top programs. Many of the news and sports programs presented to us are a lot more sensationalistic than they need to be.

Many mundane news stories are presented to us as if they are of vital, national importance. The slightest tilt in the stock market is covered as if it is the end of life as we know it. I know the market can be a good barometer of where our country is economically, but sometimes investors just need to grow a backbone and calm down.

The older I get the more I realize that I am happier when I turn the television off. It can be a bad presence in my house.

Maybe I am the only one who feels this way. However, I don't think so.

How much is too much information?

2011-10-08T12:17:00.002-05:00

Public figures pay a tremendous price these days. Scrutiny comes from all angles, and the blinding glare of the spotlight has to be difficult at times.

The term 'public figure' can apply to a wide spectrum of people. It can apply to people in politics, entertainment, sports, and many other areas. Just about anybody with any notoriety can be considered a public figure, and there are plenty of people who want to either build them up or knock them down.

For public figures, the scrutiny they are under also applies to their private lives. An indiscretion made 20 years ago can become a front page story because finding dirty laundry on people is big business.

This type of spotlight likely prevents many good and qualified people from stepping forward and serving others. After all, who wants that type of scrutiny? We have all made big mistakes. Isn't providing for the public enough?

Recently, the impact of this scrutiny was made even more apparent with the release of the book Sweetness: The Enigmatic Life of Walter Payton. Payton played running back for the Chicago Bears for many years and is considered by most to be one of the greatest players in professional football history.

Payton earned the nickname 'Sweetness' for his unique personality in a rough and tumble sport. He died in 1999, and the book takes an in-depth look at his life. The book includes personal problems Payton had, including abuse of prescription drugs, martial infidelity, and other issues.

The release of the book sparked a renewed debate about how much is too much when studying the life of a public figure. Additionally, since Payton has been dead for 12 years, many stated that it was not fair to air his problems without him being able to defend himself.

The defenders of Payton have a point. He was just a football player. Didn't he give enough by having his body beaten to a pulp while entertaining us as a player? Is his personal life relevant to how we interpret his contribution to his profession?

On the other hand, isn't the personal life of a person whose reputation was partially built on his personal conduct important?

It is a tough issue. When is enough, enough?

In politics, this issue came to light in a biography recently released about Sarah Palin. Palin is a possible presidential candidate and was the Republican vice-presidential nominee in 2008. In the biography, there was information included about her sex life 20 years ago.

Again, where does the line need to be drawn? Palin is obviously a public figure, and the political arena is a totally different situation compared to Payton’s life as an athlete. Politicians deserve intense scrutiny especially if there is a possibility they may hold office.

Still, did the digging into Palin's life go too far? What can an alleged liaison that took place 20 years ago tell us about the qualifications of somebody for office now? If the behavior had been recent, then that might be more relevant. Though personal conduct is important, this type of dirt digging may not be a positive contribution to the political process.

The bottom line is this type of scrutiny is not going anywhere. As long as people have an appetite for it, authors will continue to serve it up. People love scandal, and the selling of it often attracts people.

However, the final conclusion we should draw from this is that nobody is perfect. It does matter how exalted a person is. We all have skeletons in our personal closets. If we try to claim otherwise, then we are either lying or living in denial.

Remember that when reading about somebody else.

Quote of the day

2011-10-05T22:05:00.002-05:00

"The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand forever." -- Isaiah 40:8 in The Holy Bible

Volunteers showing progress compared to last year

2011-10-03T17:55:00.002-05:00

With last Saturday's win against Buffalo, the Tennessee Volunteers have now completed one-third of the 2011 schedule. How does the team shape up compared to where it was last season? Pretty well.

This year's Vols are 3-1 compared to 2-2 at this point last year. Though the Vols played poorly in losing to Florida, the team has also showed progress. A solid win over a pretty good Cincinnati team and thrashings of Montana and Buffalo are much better than last year.

In the first four games last year, the team was convincingly beaten by Florida and Oregon. The Vols were fortunate to beat Alabama-Birmingham in overtime. In that game, the Blazers missed five field goals and dominated the statistics. Truthfully, Tennessee should have been 1-3 after four games last year.

This year, the next four games will make or break Tennessee's year. The next four are: vs. Georgia, vs. LSU, at Alabama and vs. South Carolina. The saving grace of this stretch is that three of the games are at home. However, it is still a daunting stretch.

Last year, Tennessee was soundly beaten by three of those four teams (Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina) while losing a heartbreaking game to LSU on the last play. Unless the running game greatly improves, the Vols may meet the same fate again this year.

These teams are good.

Keeping it real

2011-10-01T16:35:00.003-05:00

At this time, America appears to be a restless nation. There is not much contentment, and a casual glimpse around our national landscape proves this.

Economically and politically, there is a lot of upheaval. Our leaders in Washington cannot agree on much. Each side points its fingers at the other in a vain attempt to advance its own agenda.

This gridlock is frustrating, and it is not going away anytime soon. Next year, voters will go to the polls again to elect officials that will hopefully guide us in a more successful direction. However, next year's results will likely rubber stamp the divide that we have seen in our country for the last 12 years.

People in the red states will likely vote in a more conservative way, and people in blue states will point more to the left. Obviously, the political climate could change in the next 13 months, but I do not think so. Everybody has their heels dug in right now, and that is not likely to change.

The struggles of our economy are also feeding our nation's discontent. It is hard to feel upbeat when unemployment remains nearly 10 percent on the local, state and national level.

When money is not coming in the door, feeling content is as elusive as a hot day in January. At this time, contentment looks like a distant figure on the horizon that becomes a mirage when we get closer to it.

Much like our political situation, our economic mess is not leaving anytime soon. Unemployment is expected to remain above nine percent heading into 2012. If a person is financially prospering right now, he should be extra grateful because there are a lot of people who are not.

During tough times in the past, people often sought distraction in entertainment. We have all heard stories of how people went to the movies during the Great Depression to forget about the troubles of the day. This type of escapism is important. If people brood over problems it can compound the issues that plague some people.

Unfortunately, this escapism is not as easy as in the past. For those who have not gone to the movies lately, it costs an arm and a leg just to buy a ticket, a box of popcorn and a cold drink. Multiply that by a factor of four and it is very difficult for a family to spend a quiet evening at the movies.

True, there are more outlets for entertainment than many years ago, but those are often lacking when it comes to quality.

So, if contentment is elusive these days, what can be done to get it back? Perhaps we should take a closer look at what we are looking for as the source of our contentment. Though many of the examples listed above are important, none have a lasting place in our lives.

Politicians will come and go. Economically, there will always be seasons of prosperity and want in our lives. Entertainment is so trivial that we often forget what we have watched the next day.

Maybe we should be taking a closer look at the parts of our lives that have a lasting impact such as our spiritual, family and friendship needs. When the hustle and bustle of our lives die down, these three areas are often the most important when shaping whether we are content or not.

Sometimes the stress associated with some of the topics written earlier can cause these areas to fragment. Relationships become strained. It becomes easier to blame others or God.

However, in the long run, these are the only things of lasting value we have. We should treat them accordingly.

Getting back in the saddle....

2011-10-01T11:03:00.002-05:00

After experiencing a case of 'life interruptus,' The Nightly Daily is now ready to resume regular postings. It is autumn, and I am ready to go. As always, if you disagree with anything I write, remember what you pay to read this stuff.

Obama's vacation just bad timing

2011-08-27T14:39:00.003-05:00

To be successful, good preparation is often the most important ingredient in any effort we attempt. After all, if we do not put enough work into considering all the angles, then our plans can go dreadfully wrong.

Of course, preparation is not the only aspect to consider. Sometimes we can prepare as much as possible, but if our timing is wrong then we can alienate a whole lot of people.

Bad timing is especially tricky when it comes to our elected officials. When times our good, our politicians often try to exploit the situation by making speeches or making proposals that make them look good. In these situations, they are trying to build momentum for themselves regarding how the public views them.

However, when times our bad, the slightest action or statement can aggravate the public. President Obama recently found this out the hard way when he went on vacation with his family to Martha's Vineyard up in New England.

There is no doubt that our nation's economy is stumbling and bumbling, and many people are suffering. The national unemployment rate remains about nine percent, and the stock market has been erratic.

Because of this, the president has taken a lot of heat for going on vacation while our nation is going through hard times. The media has not done the president any favors with its coverage of his pleasure trip, and this situation has been easily exploited by his opponents.

Despite the problems our nation is facing, there is nothing wrong with the president going on vacation. His only problem has been that his timing is bad.

We all go on vacations, and since the president has the most stressful job in the world, I do not think it is outrageous for him to spend some time away from Washington. His time off is a working vacation. It is not as if he stopped being president while relaxing.

True, the economy stinks right now, but we are kidding ourselves if we believe our problems would be solved if the president stayed in Washington. Times are tough and will continue to be so. Our problems were not caused overnight, and there are no quick solutions.

Since Congress is not in session, I do not see many benefits that can come by him staying in Washington. I think it would be a waste of time. It is ironic that more of our Congressmen are not under the same scrutiny because a lot of them are on vacation right now, too.

On this issue, the solitary nature of the office of the president is hurting Obama. With the presidency, we can always direct our complaints at a specific person when we are frustrated, and an issue like this makes a president especially vulnerable. People rarely complain when their senators go on vacation because a lot of people do not even know who their senators are.

But everyone knows who the president is. And the president will always be a lightning rod even on issues as trivial as going on vacation.

The bottom line is this is nothing new. For those old enough to remember, President Ronald Reagan was criticized a lot when he spent time at his ranch in California when the economy struggled during his first term. The same went for President George H.W. Bush in the early 1990s.

This issue is insignificant compared to all the other challenges we face. We need to drop it and get focused on the big changes our nation is facing.

The more we let issues like this distract us, the longer it will take to get our nation back to normal.

I'm really liking bacon

2011-08-26T21:01:00.003-05:00

I'm going through a phase where I can't get enough bacon. I can't seem to satisfy my longing for the fried, pork substance. This isn't a bad problem to have, but it's still a little frustrating.

BACON!
BACON!
BACON!
BACON!
BACON!
BACON!
BACON!
BACON!
BACON!
BACON!
BACON!

I really wish bacon could be sold in vending machines.

Quote of the day: Michael Scott of 'The Office'

2011-08-23T18:57:00.003-05:00

"Ed Truck, yuck, Ed Truck was the manager before me. Horrible. He hated fun. It was like, oh, Ed Truck is walking toward us, stop having fun. Start pretending to work. What a jerk...I swore to myself that if I ever got to walk around the room as manager people would laugh when they saw me coming and would applaud as I walked away." -- spoken by Michael Scott as portrayed by Steve Carell on 'The Office."

Tennessee Volunteers 2011 football schedule

2011-08-21T15:51:00.002-05:00

Despite its problems, college football remains the greatest sport in our country. And despite the problems of the Tennessee Volunteers in recent years, the team remains one of the most storied in college football history. Here is this year's schedule for the team:

Sept. 3 -- vs. Montana
Sept. 10 -- vs. Cincinnati
Sept. 17 -- at Florida
Oct. 1 -- vs. Buffalo
Oct. 8 -- vs. Georgia
Oct. 15 -- vs. LSU
Oct. 22 -- at Alabama
Oct. 29 -- vs. South Carolina
Nov. 5 -- vs. Middle Tennessee
Nov. 12 -- at Arkansas
Nov. 19 -- vs. Vanderbilt
Nov. 26 -- at Kentucky

Though the Volunteers will be better this year, it will still be a rebuilding year. The is no question coach Derek Dooley has improved the team's talent, but the team remains very inexperienced. There are only eight scholarship players on the roster who are seniors.

The non-conference schedule is easier than in recent years because the team will not be playing a national program from a power conference. Games against Montana, Cincinnati, Buffalo and Middle Tennessee should allow the Volunteers to go 4-0 outside the conference.

However, the conference schedule gets tougher this year. From the Western Division, the team plays Alabama, LSU, and Arkansas. All three of those teams have been ranked in the Top 15 nationally in various preseason publications. The Southeastern Conference remains the toughest conference in the nation so we should expect more struggles as the program rebuilds.

I see the Vols finishing 6-6 this year and going to a lower-tier bowl again. The team is heading in the right direction, but we need one more excellent recruiting class to put us back toward the top. Our wins should come against the four non-conference opponents, Vanderbilt and Kentucky. I hesitate to pick the Vols over Kentucky because we play them on the road, and they have come close to beating us in recent years. However, if they couldn't beat us last year, I don't know when they will.

Reconsidering term limits for Congress

2011-08-20T13:07:00.002-05:00

Our federal government is a mess, and most people have a dim view of the way our political leaders are performing in Washington.

The frustration people are feeling transcends party politics. Most people hold both Republicans and Democrats in very low regard. The challenges of our country are daunting, and the folks in Washington are clearly clueless on what to do.

Polls show President Obama's approval rating is well below 50 percent, and the feelings are the same for Congress.

So, where do we go from here? Obviously, there is no simple solution for what is going on, and our problems will not be solved overnight. Still, there is one action we can take that will start us in the right direction.

It is time for us to reconsider having term limits for members of Congress both in the House of Representatives and the Senate. After all, the president is limited to only two four-year terms, which means no chief executive can serve more than eight years. Why should not Congress have similar restrictions?

Members of the House are elected to two-year terms while each term in the Senate is six years, but there is no limit regarding how many times people can be re-elected. Is this unlimited ability to be re-elected causing some of the problems we are seeing? I believe so.

No matter how well intentioned some of our leaders are when they are elected, it seems their emphasis changes once they reach Washington. Instead of primarily focusing on the people that elected them, they appear more pre-occupied with becoming a good delegate for the party they belong to.

It is as if they fear upsetting their colleagues in Washington more than they do the public. And that is flat-out wrong.

It might also explain the hardening of the arteries that we are seeing in Congress. The more a person is re-elected, the more power he or she attains. If there is anything we know about power, it is that people will do just about anything to keep it once they have it.

Seniority is often a driving force when it comes to the power an elected official has, but that is not always a good idea. We see that a lot in the workplace. While it is important to have co-workers who have a lot of experience, we also know performance should remain the primary factor when considering who has power and who does not.

Call me crazy, but the same way of thinking should apply in Washington. While this seems like a simple concept, we know that it is not the way it works there. The 'power of incumbency' plays a major role when a leader is up for re-election, and the public knows how the system works up there. Therefore, incumbents have a leg up when trying to remain in office.

With term limits, all of this would be swept out the door. Instead of worrying about getting re-elected and maintaining power, our leaders might be more focused on legislating our country's problems because they know they will eventually have to leave anyway.

The topic of term limits used to come up a lot back in the 1990s. When the Republican Revolution occurred in 1994, one of the planks in their 'Contract with America' was to pass term limits. The 'Contract' had 10 items in it, and nine of them were voted on and passed.

Which one did not? Of course, it was the one regarding term limits.

In the past, I opposed term limits, but now, I believe it is the only way we can clean out Washington. The public will not do it, so we should legislate it.

Tennessee Titans 2011 football schedule

2011-08-17T15:11:00.004-05:00

The start of the National Football League season is less than a month away so here is the schedule the Tennessee Titans face this year.

Sept. 11 -- at Jacksonville
Sept. 18 -- vs. Baltimore
Sept. 25 -- vs. Denver
Oct. 2 -- at Cleveland
Oct. 9 -- at Pittsburgh
Oct. 16 -- BYE
Oct. 23 -- vs. Houston
Oct. 30 -- vs. Indianapolis
Nov. 6 -- vs. Cincinnati
Nov. 13 -- at Carolina
Nov. 20 -- at Atlanta
Nov. 27 -- vs. Tampa Bay
Dec. 4 -- at Buffalo
Dec. 11 -- vs. New Orleans
Dec. 18 -- at Indianapolis
Dec. 24 -- vs. Jacksonville
Jan. 1 -- at Houston

It is tough to know what to expect from the Titans this year. New head coach, new quarterbacks, lots of new players on defense, and running back Chris Johnson is holding out. Other than that, everything is pretty clear (please note sarcasm).

The opening game at Jacksonville is shaping up to be a critical game. It feels weird to write that about an opening game, but there is a lot riding on it. It is a divisional game, and each of those games is big. A loss there means the team could be staring at a 0-2 start because the home opener is a tough one against Baltimore.

Most of the non-divisional games are against the AFC North and the NFC South. Games against Pittsburgh, Atlanta, and New Orleans will be tough but the schedule is balanced out somewhat with games against Carolina, Buffalo, and Denver. The key to the season could be the three-game home stand that follows the bye week. Three wins there could mean a good season.

Good luck predicting what's going to happen.

Quote of the day

2011-08-14T15:58:00.002-05:00

"Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." -- Matthew 5:7 (NIV)

Terroristic rhetoric

2011-08-13T17:35:00.002-05:00

During the heat of political debate, it is important not to take some of the rhetoric we hear too seriously. This does not just apply to our politicians, but to media members and other groups involved in the democratic process.

After all, when the sparks are flying, we have all heard examples where people let the words they are speaking get ahead of their brains. This happens on all levels, including here on the local level.

However, we heard some of the dumbest rhetoric I can recall in the aftermath of the debt crisis that occurred earlier this month. Some compared Republican tactics used during this controversy to terrorism.

That's right: terrorism. As we stand on the threshold of the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks that killed almost 3,000 people some actually compared political maneuvering to a horrible event like that.

I would have let this slide if it had been an isolated incident, but pundits on networks like MSNBC and other venues used the analogy many times. Also, it is alleged that Vice President Joe Biden used the term when meeting with Democratic members of Congress.

As a citizen who is fed up with the tactics of both the Democrats and Republicans, the abuse of the term 'terrorism' represents a new low. What is next? Comparisons to the holocaust? To Charles Manson? If mass murder is an appropriate comparison to political controversy, then the word 'terrorism' has been greatly cheapened.

It was not too long ago that President Barack Obama and other leaders called on everybody to cool the inflammatory talk. In the aftermath of the attempted assassination of Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, some alleged that the shooter could have been spurred on by the hostile rhetoric used by some elements of talk radio.

Of course, this was baloney. Her shooter allegedly suffers from mental problems, and the attack had nothing to do with talk radio. Still, the way words are used was a very hot topic for a few days.

The bottom line is I am kidding myself if I believe our leaders will stop using inflammatory words when it suits their agenda. The manipulation of words is a primary weapon when competing for the attention of the public.

We all manipulate words without even realizing it. When I was a boy, I can remember not wanting to eat spaghetti because I hated it. I did not really 'hate' spaghetti. It just was not a food I liked very much.

'Love' and 'hate' remain the most misused words in our language. If we genuinely loved everything we say we do, then our hearts would be overflowing so much that it would be impossible to say anything bad about anybody.

However, there is a fine line between what is acceptable and what is not. The use of the word 'terrorism' in the recent political debate crossed that line. I know the line can be a subjective one. When the stakes are high, it becomes a lot easier to push the envelope when it comes to the words we use.

As a culture, we have to do a better job at determining when enough is enough. This applies to how words are used, but also to lots of other areas of life.

Frankly, we do not do a good job at defining boundaries in our society. Just about anything goes these days. Not only does this apply to words, but also to what serves as entertainment and other aspects of life.

Because of this lack of discipline, it should not surprise us that we hear the types of words we do. It is just another example of things spinning out of control.

Norway and the U.S.A.

2011-08-07T20:33:00.002-05:00

Late last month, Norway experienced its worst case of violence since World War II when a terrorist bombed and shot his way into infamy.

I will not mention the terrorist's name because I get tired of mentioning people who do evil acts and leave the rest of us to pick up the pieces. I am not very familiar with Norway's system of justice, but let us hope justice is done. If this does not happen, we can take heart because we know that will happen in the next life. Nobody truly gets away with anything.

Terrorism impacts just about every place in the world, but I must admit that Norway was one of the last countries in which I expected this to happen. After all, Scandinavia appears to be peaceful and would be a nice place to live if it did not get so cold and snowy.

However, this event shows that no place is safe from random acts of terror. Seventy-seven people are dead there because of one man's decision, and it will be interesting to observe where that country goes from here.

Of course, the United States is coming up on a significant anniversary when it comes to terrorism. Next month will mark the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks that changed how our country went about its business.

There has been a seismic change in our country since then. We have fought wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. We have also fought intelligence wars in which our government has valiantly sniffed out possible terror attacks.

When considering where we were 10 years ago, it is pretty amazing that we have not had another large-scale terrorist attack on our soil. We have had some smaller attacks like the Fort Hood shooting a couple of years ago, but our government is to be applauded for preventing another 9/11-scale attack.

Recently, our government has gotten a barrage of criticism for its handling of the debt crisis and other issues. Much of that criticism was richly deserved so it is refreshing to point out something positive.

Our daily lives have changed in the last 10 years. A trip to the airport seems like a day-long event because of increased security, and we all have become a little more suspicious of activities that occur around us each day. If something strikes us as unusual, we are more likely to alert law enforcement than we were 10 years ago.

It can be debated as to whether that is actually a good development, and we have seen some cases in which people have gone overboard. Still, it is important to be good stewards of our country's freedom and becoming personally involved is one way to do that.

As for Norway, it is difficult to know what path that country will take. I seriously doubt they will unveil a War on Terror and start fighting abroad. Still, I believe there will be some changes.

When reading and watching the news reports from there, it appears that a whole generation has lost its innocence. When that happens to a person or an entire population, it is tough to know where to go next.

After all, when a person's entire way of life is altered, it can be difficult to know what is normal. My guess is that Norway will grapple with that for a while. There will likely be rhetoric that this event will not change their way of life, but how can it not?

People there will go on the offensive to prevent another attack just as we have here in America.

For their sake, let us hope they handle it well.

Popeye's cooks up some good fast-food chicken

2011-08-04T16:35:00.004-05:00

Each day when I drive to and from work, I pass a Popeye's chicken restaurant along Interstate 24 in Nashville. For some time now, I have heard their chicken calling me. However, I never stop because I am in a hurry.

That was until a couple of days ago, and I do not regret it. Popeye's cooks up some first-class, fast-food chicken. I was not sure what to get, so I played it safe and got a three-piece chicken finger snack. For only four dollars (not including drink), I got enough chicken to keep me well fed for the rest of the day.

I know Kentucky Fried Chicken has the highest name recognition when it comes to fast-food chicken, but give Popeye's a chance. Lots of quality chicken at a reasonable price.

A man can't beat that.

Hope and the Pittsburgh Pirates

2011-07-31T14:15:00.002-05:00

In many ways, good news has been in short supply in recent weeks. There has been political chaos, child murder cases, stifling heat, and media scandals.

Other than for cynics and pessimists, we have been going through a depressing stretch. Then again, cynics and pessimists are probably depressed in some way all the time, but that is a different story for a different time.

Even outlets we use to escape the problems of every day life have had strife. Sports are an outlet many people use, but the labor problems in the National Football League were an irritant for most of the year.

However, if we keep looking there is good news to be found. An excellent example of this is the Pittsburgh Pirates in Major League Baseball.

The Pirates are one of the most storied franchises in that sport, but since 1993, the team has been a laughingstock. Perennial losers, the Battling Bucs have been cannon fodder for most of the National League.

But this year, the team has improved. So far this summer, the young team has held its own in the Central Division and remains in competition for first place. Will this continue? It is too soon to tell, but my advice to Pirates' fans is to sit back and enjoy the ride.

Though I have been an Atlanta Braves fan for most of my life, I must admit a soft spot for the Pirates. As I became aware of baseball as a boy in the early 1970s, Pittsburgh was a team I gravitated toward.

This was likely because of the death of their remarkable right fielder Roberto Clemente. Clemente was killed on New Year's Eve 1972 while rushing supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.

To this day, I do not totally understand why his death impacted me. In fourth grade, I remember doing a book report on a Clemente biography. It was a thick book authored by Kal Wagenheim, and it was a formidable undertaking compared to some of my other classmates.

Because of this, I have been following the events in Pittsburgh this year with interest. With only a $45 million payroll, the team has already won series against big market teams like the Philadelphia Phillies and Boston Red Sox.

While $45 million seems like a lot of money (and it is), it is chump change compared to the budgets of those teams, which have payrolls in the hundreds of millions. We are witnessing a classic example of the little guy sticking it to the big guy. And who does not love that?

I am most excited for the Pirates' fans. It is a wonderful experience when a person loves a bad team for a long time and then that team turns it around.

I experienced this with the Braves. For most of the '70s and '80s, the Braves were bad. When I say 'bad,' I mean the team was awful in some seasons. Especially in the late '80s, the team seemed to flirt with 100 losses each year.

That all turned around in 1991 when the Braves won their division and played for the National League championship. Who did they play? Ironically, the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Pirates of the early '90s were excellent and provided the last whiff of baseball success for that franchise until now.

The Braves beat the Pirates for the National League championship in both 1991 and '92. The Braves are in contention for the playoffs this year, too. It would be additional irony if they met in the playoffs, and the Pirates got to even the score for what happened two decades ago.

I would not like that, but it would be a great story.

2011 Coffee County football schedule

2011-07-28T18:23:00.001-05:00

For those interested:

Aug. 19 -- at Shelbyville
Aug. 26 -- vs. Marshall County
Sept. 2 -- Bye week
Sept. 9 -- vs. Tullahoma
Sept. 16 -- at White County
Sept. 23 -- at Independence
Sept. 30 -- vs. Warren County
Oct. 7 -- vs. Lincoln County
Oct. 14 -- vs. Cumberland County
Oct. 21 -- at Franklin County
Oct. 28 -- at Cookeville

Rupert Murdoch's outer limits

2011-07-24T14:05:00.002-05:00

At times in the past, I have wondered what it must be like to be Rupert Murdoch. If money and power are what makes this world turn then a case can be made that he is the most influential man on the planet.

Murdoch is the chairman and CEO of News Corp. The company has vast holdings when it comes to the media, and whenever there is a ripple in his world, we should all take notice.

This has been happening lately to News Corp.’s tabloids in Great Britain. In recent months, a scandal erupted in which it appears members of the now-defunct 'News of the World' tabloid hacked into the voice mails of people to swipe information.

These tactics were not just limited to public figures. The most horrendous example included the alleged hacking of the voice mail of a parent whose child had been murdered. I cannot imagine how awful it must be to lose a child in such a manner, and the tactics used by the tabloid to get a scoop outraged that nation.

Since then, News Corp. officials have been on the defensive, primarily by groveling to the British government and the public. Several apologies have been made, but it appears this situation will be investigated for the foreseeable future.

So, how does this impact us here in America? Maybe not so much right now, but it does open the door to some interesting speculation.

After all, News Corp also owns some major players on the American media scene. The Fox News Channel, 'The Wall Street Journal,' and the 'New York Post' all fall under the umbrella of this massive company.

Therefore, a reasonable person might wonder if the tactics used in Great Britain have also been used here. At this point, there is no evidence this has happened, but when one crack emerges in a large organization, several more usually follow.

The bottom line is the tactics used by News Corp. in Great Britain is an example of the brutal competition that sometimes takes place in the media.

We live in a 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week media world, and the competition to get the next big story can be jawdropping. We are kidding ourselves if we believe that major media outlets do not bend the rules sometimes when getting some stories.

Of course, there is a big difference between pushing the envelope and using the tactics the 'News of the World' used. In fact, pushing the envelope can be healthy when it comes to serving the public.

Media competition can be especially helpful to communities like Coffee County. Multiple media outlets in our county guarantee competition for important stories.

If the county only had one media source, then it would be tempting for that outlet to become lazy and fat. What would be their motivation to go out and pursue stories that serve the public interest? My guess is they would give in to the temptation to sit back and rake in the advertising dollars while not doing much else.

As for Murdoch, I do not spend much time wondering about him these days. In a sense, his organization is sitting in a pot of boiling oil and many want to turn the heat up even higher.

His tabloids in Great Britain took plenty of cheap shots over the years, and it appears many are relishing the opportunity to even the score. Even in the hyper-competitive media world, it is important to treat people with respect.

After all, lives and fortunes can change with a snap of the fingers. I sure would hate to face a pack of angry wolves if I was plummeting back down to earth.

That's a handsome meat loaf sandwich

2011-07-21T18:49:00.003-05:00

A person I work with recently enjoyed this meat loaf sandwich for lunch. If a person does not understand the wonder of a meat loaf sandwich, then I hope this photo helps communicate that to him. Seriously, kneel before the power of the sandwich.

(Photo courtesy of Omar Durkee)

Casey Anthony's media circus

2011-07-17T14:10:00.002-05:00

Our around-the-clock media circus is at its most intense when it sinks its teeth into a juicy crime and the inevitable court trial that follows it.

Ever since the O.J. Simpson case back in the 1990s, media outlets have always been on the lookout for the next big thing. The type of story that will allow cable news channels to fill huge blocks of its programming with constant discussion of a story.

Of course, the most recent example of this was the case involving Casey Anthony in Florida. She was charged with murdering her two-year-old daughter Caylee and for three years, outlets like HLN waited like panting dogs for her trial to begin.

Much like Simpson, Anthony was convicted by the media almost from the beginning. Led by carnival barkers like HLN's Nancy Grace, it appeared inconceivable to the media that she would be acquitted. Each night, this point of view was fed to a national audience.

However, as we all know, that is what happened. Except for four counts of lying to law enforcement officials, Anthony was acquitted of all charges and was released from jail today.

Please understand that this column is not meant to be some sort of defense of Anthony. She is a convicted liar, and her behavior in the aftermath of her child's death was astonishing. I do not know what makes this woman tick, but she appears very troubled.

The point of this column is about the media's tendency to overreach when covering these trials and the public's willingness to go along for the ride. This is clearly a partnership. Many people want to heap all the blame on the media, but the media would not supply this if there was not a willing audience for it.

My frustration is that the public simply does not expect more out of the media. People appear content to simply watch and latch on to whatever story is served up for them.

At a time when our nation has numerous economic problems and is at war, we appear more concerned about a murder trial that deals with sex, mystery and betrayal.

Where are our priorities? While I agree that the murder of a two-year-old girl is important, the sad truth is that crimes like this happen on a semi-regular basis. So, why did this trial grab our attention?

It appealed because it had an attractive defendant who liked to party at the most inappropriate times. It appealed because that defendant would say just about anything to explain what happened no matter how preposterous or unsupported it was.

In the aftermath of all this, I think we all know what will happen to Anthony. Though she will likely become a social pariah, she also will get rich. Media outlets will pay to get her story, and it would not surprise me if she helped write a book about her life that will be on the shelves by Christmas.

Her story is not going away anytime soon. We live in a 'reality TV show' world and her life has been one for the last three years. Why should we expect that to change?

As for the public, my hope is that we take some time and reflect on these 'made for TV' court trials that are served to us. Lots of important stories go unreported while we focus on events like this.

Our priorities likely are a primary reason our country is so messed up. We lack the patience or commitment to deal with the real problems we face. So, we bury our faces in stories like the Anthony trial.

We get what we deserve.

Scorsese biography of George Harrison to air on HBO in October

2011-07-14T18:03:00.005-05:00

For fans of the Beatles, there was good news recently when it was announced that a documentary produced by Martin Scorsese about ex-Beatle George Harrison will air on HBO in October.

Scorsese is one of the best filmmakers of his generation and has a successful track record when it comes to documentaries involving rock and roll figures. He directed The Last Waltz that recorded the farewell performance of the Band (though they resurfaced in various forms after that). He was also involved in a well-received documentary about Bob Dylan in 2005 titled No Direction Home: Bob Dylan.

As for Harrison, the 'quiet Beatle' may finally get the attention he deserved during his life. The other three Beatles had more extroverted personalities and that guaranteed he would be lost in the shuffle somewhat.

However, one of the most interesting aspects of the Beatles' story was how Harrison began to flower as their career progressed. Early on, he seemed almost content to stand in the background. Slowly, he began to help shape their sound by introducing instruments like the sitar.

By the time the band was nearing its break up, he was writing songs that were as good as John Lennon's and Paul McCartney's. On the Abbey Road album, how many of their songs measure up to Harrison's 'Here Comes the Sun' or 'Something'? Not many. Certainly, Lennon's 'Come Together,' but Harrison's songs hold up better than just about any other song on the album.

Hopefully, this documentary will give Harrison the treatment he deserves.

Red hot days await

2011-07-11T18:13:00.003-05:00

The forecasted high temperature for Middle Tennessee tomorrow is 97 degrees with the heat index expected to be more than 105 degrees. The high temperature in Barrow, AK, is expected to be 41 degrees. As much as I love Tennessee, I know where I would rather be on Tuesday.

It's time to pay attention to the 2012 presidential campaign

2011-07-08T23:36:00.003-05:00

It is July, and the temperatures are sky high as we trudge through another summer. However, our thoughts need to be turning to the winter when the 2012 presidential campaign kicks into high gear.

Whether we like it or not, the major caucuses and primaries for the campaign begin about seven months from now. That is less time than the length of an average pregnancy.

Because of this, we need to begin pondering the race. On the Democratic side, President Barack Obama will likely face little meaningful opposition as he moves toward getting his party’s nomination.

The president is truly gifted when it comes to fundraising, and some experts predict he will raise as much as $1 billion dollars to spend against his Republican challenger. This alone refutes the long-time stereotype that the GOP is the only party of big money. The pockets on the Democratic side plunge plenty deep as well.

The race for the Republican nomination continues to take shape. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has been anointed the early frontrunner, but I do not see how anybody can be a frontrunner at this point.

True, Romney ran for the nomination in 2008 and probably has the edge when it comes to name recognition. However, the Republican candidates have not been in front of a large audience in a meaningful way yet.

Also, there are some people who are considering running who have not made up their mind yet. So, let us ease up on all this frontrunner talk.

Another person getting some early recognition from Republicans is Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann. She is a darling of the Tea Party set so it will be critical for her to appeal to moderate Republicans as well.

If her campaign continues to progress, it will be interesting to see if the mainstream media treats her with the blatant sexism it has with other women candidates in recent years.

The most obvious and dreadful example of this was how the media treated Hillary Clinton when she ran against Obama in 2008. While they tossed softball question after softball question to Obama, Clinton was peppered with serious policy questions like she was a hockey goalie.

I have no problem with our presidential candidates being placed under intense scrutiny, but Clinton got the heat applied to her way more intensely than Obama did.

Another example of sexism from that campaign was the treatment of Sarah Palin. Because of her looks and style, many tried to dismiss her as a lightweight. While she has many shortcomings when it comes to politics, the intensity of the early attempts to marginalize her was breathtaking.

For those reading this who believe it is too early to start focusing on 2012, my advice is to wake up. Our country faces monumental problems right now.

Unemployment remains above nine percent in many states. Energy costs are still unacceptably high. Prices have been slowly rising at the grocery store. When prices for fundamentals like food and gasoline are high, politicians need to be put on the hot seat.

The basic questions we need to ask ourselves are: On a personal level, are you better off than you were four years ago? On a national level, is our nation better off than it was four years ago?

The way those questions are answered should guide how a person votes. Then again, I am assuming most people reading this will actually vote. Voter apathy remains a demon, and the sad truth is most reading this will not vote.

Just what we need – four more years of whining from a constituency who can not be bothered to get involved.

Tennessee Volunteers open 2011 season in exactly two months against Montana

2011-07-03T13:35:00.003-05:00

Right now, it is blazing hot in July, but relief is just around the corner. The Tennessee Volunteers open their 2011 football season on Sept. 3 against the Montana Grizzlies in Knoxville. The Grizzlies are from the Big Sky Conference and play in the FCS subdivision. If Tennessee is going to play an FCS team, I wonder why they chose to play a team of Montana's caliber.

Last year, the Grizzlies went 7-4. It was not a good enough record to make the playoffs, but the program has a tremendous tradition. Before last year, the team had made the playoffs 17 seasons in a row and won the national championship in 1995 and 2001. If we are playing a team from the FCS, shouldn't we be playing a weaker team than this?

Last year, we opened against a weak Tennessee-Martin team and won 50-0. I don't see this happening against Montana. We should win, but this game will be tougher than most expect.

A computerless world

2011-07-02T14:04:00.002-05:00

There can be no disagreement that the personal computer has revolutionized how our world functions. While the term 'personal computer' can be broadly defined, I am referring to the computers that most of us have in our homes.

In the last few decades, the capabilities of this technology have made our lives more efficient. By providing access to the Internet, we can do just about anything from the comfort of our homes.

Of course, computers at home provide a lot more services than Internet access. The point is this creation has changed home life much like television did a couple of generations ago.

With this in mind, an interesting dilemma would be if we suddenly found ourselves with no access to a computer at home. How would this impact us? Would this necessarily be bad?

A couple of weeks ago I found myself without a computer at home for a few days because of some technical problems. How did I survive this? Pretty well, actually.

The convenience of technology has become a crutch in many ways. Like the microwave oven has simplified cooking meals, the personal computer has made relatively easy chores like typing this posting a whole lot easier.

Not having a computer did inconvenience me in some ways, but in other ways, it was liberating. I began realizing how much time I had been spending on my computer instead of working on other pursuits. My weekday evenings changed dramatically without having access to it.

On a normal evening, I would come home from work, and after a quick dinner, I would drift to my computer where I would spend most of the evening tinkering with hobbies and other interests.

I would play games, work on my fantasy baseball teams, read the headlines of the day, spend too much time on Facebook, and then wander off to bed. In other words, my evenings usually were not very exciting.

Without my computer, I realized I had a lot of extra free time. A couple of the evenings I would start getting restless around 7:30 because I knew I should be doing something, but I did not know what to do.

This is when I discovered there was plenty to do. For example, with daylight lasting until 8 p.m. this time of year, I got reminded of how great it is to take a walk at sunset during the summer.

Also, I actually began to read books again. I am not talking about the electronic creations by Amazon.com, but an honest to goodness book where a person can cradle the spine of the book in his hands while reading.

Who would have thought that would be a missing pleasure? There is nothing quite like taking an old book off the shelf and reading about subjects I had not thought about for a long time. It was like re-discovering a long lost friend.

Now, I have my computer back. Since its return, I have drifted back to some of my old behaviors. After all, my fantasy baseball teams are not going to manage themselves.

However, I do feel that I have developed a little more balance in my home life. Instead of staring at a computer screen for a few hours each night, I now devote my time to other tasks and pleasures.

Computers are great, but they can also be distracting. The same can be said about television and other technologies that enchant us. We all like to be enchanted by the interests in our lives.

The problem comes when we get too enchanted. The days pass fast enough as it is. Time does not need any extra help.

We would get along just fine without the NFL

2011-06-26T15:13:00.003-05:00

Attention NFL: You better get this lock out/labor stoppage resolved soon. If this interferes with the season, I've got plenty of other options. College football. High school football. Touch football in my front yard. Trust me; I'll get plenty of football without you. You won't be missed that much. Life will go on. Remember that.

Quote of the day

2011-06-25T09:23:00.003-05:00

"The LORD redeems His servants; no one will be condemned who takes refuge in Him." -- Psalm 34:22 (NIV)

Season of political discontent

2011-06-24T20:57:00.002-05:00

For people who enjoy juicy political sex scandals, the last couple of months have been a golden era.

First, it was California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the child he fathered out of wedlock. Then it was New York Rep. Anthony Weiner who was caught sending inappropriate messages to women other than his wife.

The public already has plenty of ammunition for being cynical toward our politicians. Toss a couple of scandals like these on to the fire and the discontent becomes a raging inferno.

There are many lessons that can be learned from the Weiner situation, but perhaps the primary lesson is that many politicians simply do not know how to manage a scandal once the public becomes aware of it.

For all the public's cynicism, we tend to be pretty forgiving if a person will just admit his mistake and learn from it. However, Weiner did not do that. First, he denied that he had done anything wrong. Then, he said that somebody had hacked into his Twitter account to smear him.

Obviously, he was trying to buy time, hoping the story would go away. It did not, and he finally had to admit his mistakes. If he had just been honest when the story first broke, he might have been able to limit the political damage. Instead, he chose another approach and paid dearly.

The revelations about the end of Arnold Schwarzenegger's marriage also recently caught the public's attention.

Before becoming California's governor, Schwarzenegger had an affair with his housekeeper that resulted in a child being born. The child was born 10 years ago, but he was publicly revealed only a few weeks ago.

Now, everybody involved must endure the prying eyes of the public. It is hard to imagine a more difficult situation than having to deal with such a private matter on the public stage.

Additionally, the children (including the ones from his marriage) are old enough to understand what is going on. I am sure Schwarzenegger was not thinking of this 10 years ago, but he has to deal with this reality now.

While Schwarzenegger was wrong in what he did, we must all be careful before wagging our fingers at him too strongly. Though none of us like to admit it, all of us are capable of making decisions like his if we lose our focus. History is littered with people who made the same decisions as Schwarzenegger.

Historical figures in the Bible such as King David and Solomon both committed adultery. David was described as a man after God's own heart, but he strayed. If he can do that, what does this say about the rest of us?

The bottom line is we all need to remain humble about what we have observed in both the Weiner and Schwarzenegger situations. If we find ourselves thinking we would never do something like that then we are in big trouble. The moment we find ourselves believing we are incapable of failure then we become that much more susceptible to it.

Pride makes us behave in a funny way. It makes us get too big for our britches, and before we know it, we are standing in the wreckage of situations we never thought would occur.

I do not know if it happened this way to Weiner and Schwarzenegger. However, power and fame are great seducers. People tell us how great we are and then we start to believe it.

When we reach that point, we find ourselves with one foot dangling over a cliff and the other on a banana peel. We all need to be careful. If we do not, big problems await us.

Bob Dylan to play Ryman in Nashville on Aug. 1

2011-06-19T13:36:00.003-05:00

Bob Dylan will return to Nashville and play at the Ryman Auditorium on Aug. 1. A great artist will be playing at a great venue. I do not know if my schedule will allow me to attend. However, if you have never seen him in concert before, I recommend that you go. It will be well worth it.

Forest Mill Baptist Church revival this week

2011-06-12T12:55:00.003-05:00

Forest Mill Baptist Church will be having its revival this week, beginning today June 12 and continuing through Saturday, June 18. Tonight's service begins at 6 p.m., and services Monday through Saturday will begin at 7 p.m. Bro. Kelley Lewis will preach Sunday through Friday. Bro. Chris Anderson will preach on Saturday. The church is located on the McMinnville highway north of Manchester just before getting to Summitville.

All are welcome. THIS MEANS YOU!!

Bob Dylan definitely influenced Bonnaroo

2011-06-12T12:47:00.004-05:00

Though he is not performing this year at Bonnaroo, the long shadow of Bob Dylan definitely has influenced many of the acts playing there. Bonnaroo is the annual music and arts festival that attracts 80,000 each year to the small town of Manchester, Tenn, in mid-June.

The simple truth is that Bob Dylan is the most influential musician of the last 50 years. I am sure many would disagree with this assertion, but when looking at his body of work and who he influenced, this fact becomes clear.

Late last month, Dylan turned 70 years old with little fanfare. Last year, the late John Lennon's 70th birthday was observed in multiple ways ranging from television specials to re-issues of his music.

However, Dylan remained largely silent. This really should not come as a surprise. Dylan has played out his career on his own terms, and for better or worse, his birthday did not get the recognition it deserved.

Dylan's influence on popular music cannot be overstated. When comparing him to major acts like the Beatles, it is clear that he influenced them far more than they influenced him.

Exhibit A in this debate is the music produced by the Beatles after they became acquainted with Dylan. If nothing else, Dylan showed musicians that just about any topic was fair game when it came to developing subject matter for songs.

In the Beatles' case, they rapidly changed from a band that almost exclusively focused on love songs to a band that would try anything. Particularly Lennon and George Harrison picked up on what Dylan was doing.

Beatles' masterpieces like 'I Am the Walrus' simply could not have been composed without exposure to Dylan's brand of imagery and surrealism in the mid-1960s.

Was Dylan equally influenced by the Beatles? Probably not, but it must be acknowledged that the Fab Four had an impact on him. After all, he was making his transition from folk music to rock and roll just after Beatlemania hit America.

Likely, there was some inspiration there, but Dylan's musical vision was definitely his own.

Last month, the Nashville Scene magazine had a fascinating article about Dylan's album Blonde on Blonde, which was recorded in Nashville in 1966. The album is one of the greatest in rock and roll history. However, the article made a compelling case that it not only helped revolutionize rock and roll but also how music was made in that city.

Article writer Daryl Sanders interviewed several of the surviving musicians who played on those sessions. They stated they had never experienced anything quite like it before or since.

Making their living as musicians in Nashville, these men were fantastic artists. However, Dylan's approach was new and refreshing.

Instead of simply arriving for a session and working on a three-minute song, they found themselves playing on songs that lasted as long as 11 minutes. By today's standards, this does not appear too revolutionary, but it was at that time.

Because Dylan was able to break down these boundaries of conventional record making, many of the artists performing at Bonnaroo grew up in a musical environment that showed them anything was possible.

When reviewing Dylan's 50 years of work, it is quite eclectic. Folk, rock and roll, country, and Biblical music all have significant places within his work.

However, when re-reading his autobiography Chronicles: Volume 1 recently, I could not help but feel that his career had taken a tremendous toll on him. Many thrusted the title 'Spokesman for a Generation' on him, but he really did not like it.

I got the feeling that he really craved a simple life, but all the fame he had achieved would not allow it. That is a shame, but maybe that is why his recent birthday occurred so quietly.

The Facts of Life (Update)

2011-06-12T12:44:00.003-05:00

Fact: Special thanks to the people at ATT for coming to my house on Saturday afternoon to resolve my phone problems. I really was not expecting that on a weekend, and I am very appreciative. Landline service is back in working order.

Our long national nightmare is over.

The Facts of Life

2011-06-11T10:18:00.002-05:00

Fact: I get my internet service through a dial-up connection.

Fact: In the last few days, my landline telephone service through ATT has been interrupted.

Fact: ATT has been very slow to correct the problem.

Fact: This is impacting my ability to update my blog with new material.

Hopefully, this issue will be resolved early next week (I'm not holding my breath that it will happen this weekend). I just wanted to let you regular readers know there is nothing wrong with me. I'm fine except for not having landline telephone service. Oh, the inconviences of modern life.

As always, thanks for reading.

'Sports Illustrated' drops hammer on Jim Tressel and Ohio State football progam

2011-06-04T14:27:00.003-05:00

For years, the Southeastern Conference has been a convenient whipping boy when it comes to discussing corruption in college football. Much of that talk is justified because several schools have often broken NCAA rules in an attempt to get ahead. However, when discussing this corruption, Big 10 schools have been kept out of the talk. Thankfully, that is changing because we are learning schools there also cheat like crazy.

This week's Sports Illustrated documents cheating within the Ohio State football program that goes back to 2002. Coach Jim Tressel has already been forced out, and the NCAA will be taking a good, long look at the program. This is a story that will not be going away any time soon.

So, apparently, the conference's sacred cow status is being chipped away. Michigan's football program is already on probation. Ohio State will join it, too. Also, about 20 percent of Penn State's roster has a criminal record.

Enjoy the spotlight guys. It is about time.

Weather gone wild

2011-06-04T14:22:00.002-05:00

The events of the last few months should make us all feel more thankful than ever to have a roof over our heads.

Though I could go in a lot of directions with that comment, I am primarily thinking about the weather. The world has experienced a series of massive natural disasters that have killed thousands and impacted many more lives.

The Japanese tsunami seems like a distant memory in some respects though it only happened a few months ago. An entire culture changed for the foreseeable future because of a strong earthquake and the resulting tidal wave.

Of course, in America, the weather has caused problem after problem in recent weeks. The massive tornado that destroyed much of Tuscaloosa, Ala, turned a quaint college city into a big mess. Any disaster that can cause fans of Auburn and Alabama's football teams to join together has to be recognized as a massive one.

Additionally, because of the rainy spring season, the Mississippi River brought flooding from the Midwest down to Louisiana. I have never gone through a serious natural disaster, but I have always thought flooding must be one of the most frustrating because people have to stand there and watch their lives get slowly swept away.

I do not mean to minimize other natural disasters. They all can be awful. For example, the recent tornado in Joplin, Mo., was an example of how these storms take no prisoners.

Among the hardest hit places in that city was a hospital. Hospitals are essential during these events, and when one gets wiped out, it makes a bad situation even worse.

Not only are the existing patients traumatized by the storm, but the hospital can not assist newly injured people. This type of one-two punch can devastate any community whether it is a small town or large city.

All these events have happened, and we have only just started hurricane season. The season lasts from June 1 until November 30. If events continue to unfold as they have, it should not surprise us if we see a lot of strong storms in the Gulf of Mexico this year.

The bottom line is the events described above demonstrate just how fragile life is. Ways of life can be changed in only a few minutes if we find ourselves in the path of a storm.

We all go about our day-to-day lives and rarely consider how easily it can all be gone. This is not meant as a criticism. We grow accustomed to the pace of our lives and enjoy our comfort zones. I enjoy my comforts zones and do not like to get kicked out of mine.

However, sooner or later, it happens to all of us. Weather disasters are just one way this occurs. And since the weather is not going away, we will always remain vulnerable to what our friends in Japan, Alabama, and Missouri have gone through.

Despite this possibility, weather has always fascinated me and will continue to do so. The power of weather is especially interesting. If The Weather Channel is broadcasting a show about tornadoes then there is a good chance I will watch it. If meteorologist Jim Cantore is strapped to a tree in the middle of a hurricane, I will be sitting about a foot-and-a-half from my television screen.

Weather is one example of life's double-edged sword. It can be beautiful and deadly. It can be breathtaking and tragic. It can be tranquil and terrifying.

There are not a lot of aspects of life that we can say that about. Then again, I am glad there are not many things that fall in that category. Life is challenging enough as it is.

Quote of the day

2011-05-30T09:09:00.001-05:00

"No comment." -- by George Martin

'The Nightly Daily' recommends movies....

2011-05-29T13:56:00.002-05:00

This Memorial Day weekend I have seen an unusually good string of military movies. Since the weekend is not over yet, perhaps you might get a chance to see the following movies.

'Tora! Tora! Tora!' is an underrated movie from 1970 that methodically details the events leading up to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. This is not a film that will 'Wow!' you, but it is well told and acted. I've read that the filmmakers stayed away from having big stars in it to avoid having one person overshadow the storyline. Because of this, good character actors like Jason Robards, Martin Balsam, James Whitmore, and E.G. Marshall get a chance to shine. However, the best part of the film is its battle scenes, and the film also does a good job of presenting the story from both the Japanese and American viewpoints.

Of course, Patton is a classic war film, and George C. Scott's performance of Gen. George Patton dominates the film. I did not know until yesterday that Francis Ford Coppola co-wrote the screenplay. However, this film is Scott's all the way, and it is hard to imagine any other actor who might have done a better job.

Also, I caught most of Coppola's Apocalypse Now: Redux last night, and it has been 20 years since I have seen the film. Another great film with strong performances with the best probably being Robert Duvall's. A small criticism is that there needed to be more Marlon Brando in it, but this was typical of Brando films in the late 1970s. He was in it for what seemed like 15 minutes but still got top billing. I wonder how Martin Sheen (the real star of the film) felt about that.

If you stumble across these films the rest of the weekend, my advice is to watch them.

Lazy, dog-dangling Saturday morning

2011-05-28T11:04:00.002-05:00

Life has been really hectic during the last few weeks. About the only time I've gotten to slow down and relax has been this Saturday morning. It is a great feeling to wake up and know I do not have to get out of bed. It is a great feeling to not eat breakfast as I am walking out the door. It is a great feeling to just sit and enjoy the silence of my home. It is a great feeling to just putter around my yard chasing the squirrels. It is a great feeling to not write a list of things that I have to get done today.

Well, you get the picture. If the rest of the day is as good as this morning, then it will be a good one.

Joke of the day: Zach Galifianakis

2011-05-22T13:22:00.001-05:00

"My brother has A.D.D., which is weird because he drives a Ford Focus. I tried to tell my brother that joke, but he kept getting distracted by my shoelaces." – By actor and comedian Zach Galifianakis.

Why the good cheer about gas prices?

2011-05-22T13:18:00.002-05:00

In the last couple of weeks, gas prices have dropped. This news has resulted in joy in some sectors, but I do not get it. I paid $3.59 a gallon today to fill up my tank. While I am glad prices have dropped, we are still paying way too much. Yet, some people want to throw a party because prices have gone down 20 cents. Our expectations regarding what should be a reasonable price for gas has changed a lot. And not for the better.

The NASCAR blues

2011-05-21T14:48:00.003-05:00

I don't claim to be a huge fan of NASCAR racing, but it is even less watchable than usual right now. Many drivers seem more interested in arguing and fighting than driving a good race. Some of these guys need to grow up. If Dale, Sr., was alive, he would be laughing at them.

Keeping Osama bin Laden alive

2011-05-21T14:42:00.002-05:00

It has been almost three weeks since American special operations troops tracked down and killed Osama bin Laden. Unsurprisingly, conspiracy theories have flourished since then regarding his death and how it played out.

Should this come as a surprise? It really should not. For better or worse, we live in a world that is suspicious, if not paranoid, when it comes to major announcements made by the government.

We simply do not trust our government. While many say this is not bad, it is a shame in at least one way.

There is a fine line between skepticism and cynicism. When it comes to our government, skepticism is fine. Whether it is on the local, state or federal level, it is always important to scrutinize the actions and words of our elected officials.

Americans need to be watchdogs when it comes to government. However, it all starts going bad when we cross over the line to cynicism. Skepticism is healthy, but cynicism is a condition of the heart that can be damaging.

Characteristics such as contempt come into play when we become cynical. Cynicism breeds anger and bitterness. That is a big step beyond just being skeptical.

For me, the first examples of this cynicism toward bin Laden's death occurred the morning after it was announced. I was stuck in rush hour traffic in Nashville, and I wondered what the talk radio stations had to say about this event.

However, I hesitated before dialing up one of those stations. I got burned out on talk radio years ago, and the thought of turning to one made me a little queasy.

Still, I went ahead and did it, and I got pretty much what I expected. It was less than 12 hours since the announcement of bin Laden's death and caller after caller was expressing their cynicism about what they had been told.

The first caller I heard claimed to be in the medical profession, and he said there was no way the DNA tests used to identify bin Laden’s body could have been done so quickly. Of course, he offered no evidence regarding his medical credentials, but he believed his death was definitely fishy.

Another caller took issue with how the government disposed of bid Laden's body. It was buried in the ocean so there could be no gravesite that could become a rallying point for other terrorists. It was also done that way in accordance with Muslim customs.

However, the caller claimed that because of how this was handled we could not be sure he was actually dead. Of course, if this caller was correct, it would mean that every Navy SEAL who took part in this action is a liar and a participant in a massive cover up.

Others debated the worthiness of releasing photos and video regarding the handling of bin Laden's corpse. Personally, I feel there would be merit in releasing photos of his body. After all, if a person can find photos of President Kennedy's autopsy on the Internet, I think the world can handle a couple of photos of bin Laden.

However, I can understand the reasons for not releasing them, and that point of view has merit. Still, the lack of photos will likely remain a rallying point for doubters.

The unfortunate bottom line in these conspiracy theories is that it keeps bin Laden alive. Obviously, he is not physically alive, but if somebody can plant doubt regarding the circumstances of his death, then bin Laden remains a powerful force.

However, it is time for him to stop being a powerful force.

He needs to rest in mangled pieces in his watery grave.

The Who's 'Who's Next' is hard rock classic but much more

2011-05-14T16:10:00.003-05:00

It's funny how the meaning of an album can change over time. Not so much the album itself, but how a person understands it. As we all mature, we all begin to look at life differently. We become able to understand music (or spirituality or relationships or politics, etc.) from different angles and points of view that can completely turn upside down how we originally understood something.

Who's Next is an album just like that. When I first discovered this album as a teenager, I enjoyed it as simply a head-banging rock and roll album. And that it is. With classics like "Won't Get Fooled Again," "Baba O'Reilly," and "Behind Blue Eyes," this album is easily one of the greatest rock and roll albums ever produced. I don't use the word "greatest" lightly. This album has a level of musicianship and songwriting rarely heard.

In many ways, Who's Next is the ultimate hard rock album, but then again, it really isn't. Calling this a purely hard rock album doesn't do it justice. There are some beautiful piano and acoustic guitar driven songs. There is an undeniable spiritual element to it, and it also includes synthesizer work that was groundbreaking for its time. However, one of the most fascinating aspects of this album is that it was born out of failure.

In 1969, The Who released Tommy, which was a huge worldwide hit. After years of laboring on the edge of success, the band became superstars. The Tommy breakthrough culminated in August of that year when they knocked the socks off everybody at Woodstock. After this breakthrough, however, the pressure was on to follow up on it.

The project the band decided upon was actually a film to be called Lifehouse. It had a science fiction plot, but it eventually collapsed. However, sometimes in the rubble of failure lay the seeds of success. And that is what happened when the band decided to go ahead and record the songs written for Lifehouse.

Taken all at once, this is an overwhelming album. The two best songs are "Behind Blue Eyes" and "Bargain." "Behind Blue Eyes" has become a radio staple over the last 40 years, and its twin themes of self-pity and rage are both emotions in which everybody can identify. By probing these two universal themes, the band committed to album what rock critic Dave Marsh described as one of the fiercest prayers ever sung. The song's thunderous final 90 seconds are nothing less than a universal prayer spoken with pain and honesty.

"When my fist clenches, crack it open
Before I use it and lose my cool,
When I smile, tell me some bad news
Before I laugh and act like a fool.
If I swallow anything evil,
Put Your finger down my throat
If I shiver, please give me a blanket,
Keep me warm, let me wear Your coat"

Each line reveals fears and insecurities that all of us have had at some point. The songwriter, Pete Townshend, has taken his fears to the Source, and it is delivered with sledgehammer force. Some may believe this is a disrespectful approach to God, but above all things, I believe God wants our prayer life with Him to be totally honest. Sometimes a person needs to tear the bark off the tree and tell it like it is.

On "Bargain," the spiritual yearning is no less intense. The delivery is still fierce, but the writer's heart has moved from rage to what he will do to have a closer fellowship with God.

"I'd gladly lose me to find You
I’d gladly give up all I had
To find You, I’d suffer anything and be glad
I'll pay any price just to get You
I'll work all my life and I will
To win you, I'd stand naked, stoned, and stabbed
I call that a bargain, the best I ever had"

There are no duds on this album. When originally released, the integration of the synthesizer into the band's sound was unique. At the around the same time, Stevie Wonder was also pushing the envelope in terms of synthesizer use. The Who wanted to use it to add atmosphere to the science fiction plot of Lifehouse. They wisely chose to keep it for the Who's Next album. In addition to "Baba O'Reilly" and "Won't Get Fooled Again," the 'popcorn' synthesizer effect on "Goin' Mobile" added much juice to the song.

"Getting in Tune" has a beautiful piano and backing vocals, and Roger Daltrey's vocals have never sounded so vulnerable. Written by bassist John Entwistle, "My Wife" includes his trademark wit and includes some nice horn work.

The Who never reached this album's heights again. They had moments, but much like The Rolling Stones, once they hit superstardom, their genius came to the surface only occasionally. However, an album like this is more than enough to ensure their place in musical history.

Hairstyle Hall of Fame: Telly Savalas

2011-05-10T18:20:00.003-05:00

A man doesn't need hair to have a great hairstyle. Behold, Telly Savalas. Who loves ya, baby?

Being Donald Trump

2011-05-07T15:15:00.002-05:00

Just when it looked like our national political scene could not get more cynical, Donald Trump has arrived on center stage beating his chest.

Of course, last week, Trump played a major role in pressuring the release of President Barack Obama's Hawaiian birth certificate. For the last couple of years, a very small group has perpetuated the lie that the president was not born in the United States.

This issued was resolved a long time ago, but some people lacking the political originality to address serious topics kept pushing this issue. Most right-thinking Americans understood that the birth certificate controversy was a crock, but I guess we must give Trump some credit for getting this resolved once and for all.

Actually, I am not going to give Trump any credit. If the life of Trump has proved anything over the last 30 years, it is that he loves publicity. His number one priority in life is to generate a spotlight for himself.

We have seen this with his business dealings. We have seen this with his television show. We have even seen this with the women he has dated, married, and divorced.

The man knows how to generate publicity, and his jousting with the president is the most recent example of this. The president indirectly referred to Trump as a "carnival barker" last week, and this may be his most memorable quote during the first two-and-a-half years of his presidency.

As for Trump's alleged presidential aspirations, I hope no one reading this genuinely believes he will run for that office. If Trump tried to run, he simply would not be able to stand the scrutiny he would experience.

People like Trump can maintain their bravado when they are in control of the situation. However, when they lose that control, they often like to take their ball and go home. And in a presidential race, not even an image merchant like Trump can control how the media and political opponents go after him.

I can already see how it would all end. Trump will continue to build some momentum, but when the scrutiny gets too hot, he will quit. Instead of simply leaving, he will blame distractions created by his opponents that make it impossible for him to discuss important issues.

Trump will cloak his exit in nobility. Despite his spin control, he will leave as the victim of the same tactics he successfully used against the president. Payback is often delicious in politics, and Trump will likely be another example of that.

However, this does not mean he is going to disappear. Celebrities like Trump maintain their status by simply creating noise. It does not matter what tone that noise takes. It can be meaningful, but often it is shrill.

And when considering our nation's current political landscape, the last thing we need is somebody else being shrill. This is especially true if the shrill person has a hairstyle that defies the laws of physics.

Still, Trump does have a following, and that is something that can never be taken for granted. The man does know how to maintain the interest of people.

Then again, so does Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan. Charisma can carry a person a long way these days whether it is in politics or in pop culture. Trump’s future is obviously in pop culture.

Trump will continue to have a place on the national scene. Perhaps that is a good thing.

After all, carnival barkers are entertaining people. They have a good way with language and are fascinating to observe in an odd way.

This is fine as long as we do not take people like them too seriously.

Quote of the day: Sly Stone

2011-05-03T18:42:00.002-05:00

"Lookin' at the devil
Grinnin' at his gun
Fingers start shakin'
I begin to run
Bullets start chasin'
I begin to stop
We begin to wrestle
I was on the top"

From 'Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)' by Sly and the Family Stone

Gas prices choking us all and hurting President Obama

2011-04-30T11:28:00.005-05:00

Back on the January 8, I wrote about how experts were predicting that the price of gas would spike upward in 2011. Almost from the moment of my posting, gas prices have steadily increased.

Locally, we can consider ourselves somewhat lucky as the cost of gas remains around 20 cents below the national average. Still, the prices here hover around the $3.65 level, and we are all experiencing the impact of these prices.

When studying media reports about the cause for the increase, most of the reporting focuses on instability in the Middle East. After all, our nation does get a big chunk of its oil from there. Therefore, it stands to reason that we would be impacted if there were problems there.

However, the big problem regarding this excuse is that the original predictions about price increases occurred before the recent Middle East problems.

The predictions came before the Egyptian revolution. They came before the civil war in Libya. Several other countries in that region have also experienced unrest, but this was all after the predictions of price increases. So, this can't be the reason why this is happening.

I really feel the media has dropped the ball. All too often, they are content to simply rely on the 'Middle East excuse' regarding this situation. This means very little reporting of substance is being done.

As a nation, we like to complain about this problem, but a lot of the blame for it lies with us. Back in 2008 when prices soared above $4 a gallon, there was plenty of rhetoric about change, but our nation's driving habits have not changed that much.

True, the recession caused all of us to cut back a little, but when I travel the interstates (and I do that a lot), I still see plenty of large vehicles with drivers pushing the gas pedal to the floor.

We can talk all we want about alternative technology to decrease our dependence on gas and oil, but if we all drove less, it would go a long way toward improving this problem.

The high prices in 2008 set the bar when it comes to what Americans will pay for gas. Now, the oil speculators and oil companies are trying to nudge that bar a little higher. It is up to us to stand our ground.

Will we do that? I do not know, but based on our past behavior, I am not optimistic.

The political fallout from this situation has begun. President Barack Obama recently directed the U.S. Attorney General to investigate the situation. While this seems noble, I really do not know what the president is trying to accomplish.

He says he wants those who are possibly breaking the law or exploiting the situation to be punished. The president really is not going out on a limb here, but he may be realizing that he stands to lose a lot if this persists.

More than ever, people cast votes based on issues that impact their wallets and pocketbooks. High prices at the gas pump are one of the few economic issues that hurt everybody. Nobody gets out alive on this issue.

Some experts are now saying gas prices could reach $6 a gallon by the end of the year. If this really happens, Obama will have to do some serious damage control.

President George Bush was vilified when prices skyrocketed in 2008. Will the same happen to Obama?

Generally, Obama gets the easy treatment from the media. However, this could begin to change very soon.

Is 'Revolver' The Beatles best album?

2011-04-24T12:24:00.004-05:00

Perhaps the most intriguing characteristic of the Beatles entire body of work is how rapidly they grew as artists in a relatively short amount of time. From when they began recording in 1962 through early 1965, almost all their songs dealt with love. Boy and girl meet. Boy loves girl. Girl loves boy. Boy loses girl. Boy gets girl back. Boy wishes he had a different girl. All the songs were simple variations of the same theme.

By early 1965, subtle influences began changing the band. Lyrically, John Lennon, George Harrison, and to a lesser extent Paul McCartney, each began following Bob Dylan's lead and started exploring deeper subject matter. Songs that followed like "Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)," "Nowhere Man," and "In My Life" still dealt with relationships. However, their lyrics now probed the subject matter in ways that more accurately reflected the complexity of those relationships. Simple love songs were now gone for good. Those three songs appeared on their late 1965 album Rubber Soul, which acted as the vessel that delivered the Beatles into the most creative phase of their career.

In 1966, the Beatles remained the unquestioned leaders of rock and roll. With their album Revolver, they decided to use that power to break the conventional boundaries of the current musical scene. As the subject matter of the album's songs reveals, band members sometime had different ideas about what it meant to break boundaries.

For Lennon, his excursion to new places led him into citizenship in Alice's Wonderland. Surrealism saturated his songs in such a complete way that the songs retain their original freshness and vitality more than 40 years later. Whether it was his boredom with making albums or his tendency to sometimes incorporate drugs into the creative process, Lennon's work on this album repeatedly travels into the cosmos in ways that are often bewildering. To the casual listener, a common response to these songs might be, "What the heck is this?"

Nowhere is this more obvious than on "Tomorrow Never Knows." With lyrics taken almost directly from the book The Psychedelic Experience, the song's musical arrangement mostly features guitars that were recorded and then played backward, accompanied by thumping that sounds like tribal drum beats. The result sounds like waves of electronic sound pounding a beach, while accompanied by Lennon's vocals that resemble a spiritual chant.

"I'm Only Sleeping" is an ode to dreaming the day away in bed, and "Dr. Robert" is a tribute of sorts to various Dr. Feelgoods who fulfilled the special needs of cultural icons. Though neither song is drenched in psychedelics like "Tomorrow Never Knows," they both represent a clear departure from Lennon's early songwriting. In both songs, it is like the listener can pull back his skull and peer deeply into his subconscious and ego. "And Your Bird Can Sing" is less successful than the other songs, but the surrealistic lyrics are a direct nod to the work of Dylan in the mid-1960s.

For McCartney, breaking boundaries did not necessarily include experimental studio wizardry. At that time, rock and roll still maintained second class status in the musical establishment's eyes. The establishment often maintained an attitude of unbridled condescension toward rock and roll. Cleverly, McCartney began integrating elements of the 'old world' and showed they could be used in a rock and roll context.

The previous year, McCartney began this musical migration when his song "Yesterday" included only him on acoustic guitar and a stringed quartet. No other Beatle played on it, and in a sense, it was the first Beatles solo recording. The song is one of the most recorded and commercially successful songs of all time. However, the song's big breakthrough was that McCartney showed how to use a classical musical approach in a rock and roll context.

On Revolver, he did it again. On "Eleanor Rigby" he was again accompanied by a classical group, which spun a somber musical arrangement around lyrics bemoaning the growing isolation of people. The result is chilling. Forty years after the fact, this may seem like a minor achievement, but this type of musical fusion was highly unusual for that time.

Other songs of his on the album are less adventurous but no less successful. "Good Day Sunshine" embraces the pleasure of spending a beautiful day sitting under a tree with your woman. The title of "Got To Get You Into My Life" is pretty self explanatory, but the chewy horn section that propels the song is outstanding. "Here, There and Everywhere" may be the prettiest ballad McCartney has ever written.

Though George Harrison often stood in the shadows of his two more heralded band mates, he continued to mold the band's sound on this album. The previous year he introduced the sitar to his band members, and it was included on the song "Norwegian Wood." Primarily associated with Indian music, the instrument was largely unknown to American and European audiences when the Beatles used it. The instrument made another appearance on this album on Harrison’s "Love You To."

Harrison's "Taxman" became one of his most well-known songs in which he lamented the impact that England's severe tax code had on his bank account. Ah, the problems of wealth. "I Want To Tell You" is a steady and straightforward rocker that delves into relationship problems.

The only top 10 hit from the album was the Lennon/McCartney composition "Yellow Submarine" with Ringo Starr on lead vocals. The song would be the springboard for an animated film three years later. The song is pretty silly in some respects, but it has the charm of a nursery rhyme.

The Beatles body of work is eclectic, and its impact on the world can not be overstated. Whatever musical limitations each member had, the four of them made up for it by perfectly complementing each other. Plus, they had the good sense to break up before they had a chance to fail. The audience was spared seeing them decline over time like the Rolling Stones and the Who did. This was one of the few times when the sum of all the parts added up to a whole.

Considering Easter's importance

2011-04-23T11:01:00.007-05:00

Tomorrow, Christians worldwide will observe the Easter holiday, and it is impossible to overstate the importance of this day.

Easter commemorates the Resurrection of Jesus that Christians believe took place following His crucifixion. As a society, we do not put as much emphasis on this holiday when compared to others, and that is a big mistake.

After all, without the Resurrection, Christianity would simply be another false religion. I know that seems like harsh language, but it is the truth. Jesus said He would rise, and if that had not happened, He would have been just another false prophet who did not deliver on what was promised.

Of course, Christians believe the Resurrection took place, and billions of people will commemorate this event Sunday.

It is a shame that Easter does not get the build up that Christmas does. I know the tone of the two days is totally different, but in general, there appears to be more anticipation for Christmas by our society.

As soon as Thanksgiving ends, all eyes turn toward Christmas, and the mood of our nation changes. Admittedly, Christmas has been exploited in ways that has nothing to do with celebrating the birth of Jesus. Still, there always seems to be more buzz about that day than Easter.

Perhaps part of the reason for this is how Christians approach Easter. After all, not all people calling themselves Christians agree on how the Resurrection took place. While most would agree that Jesus physically rose from the dead, there are others who believe that it was only a spiritual event.

The Bible clearly supports that Jesus physically rose, but others still disagree. If Christians cannot agree on a point as fundamental as this, should we be surprised the holiday does not get the treatment it deserves?

Still, it is important that the Resurrection be focused upon tomorrow. It is the pivotal event of Christianity. Without it, there would be nothing.

Perhaps the most compelling piece of evidence that supports the Resurrection took place was the behavior of those closest to Jesus. Despite claims that they would never leave His side, the disciples ran when the Roman authorities arrested Him.

Peter went as far as to deny Him three times. This was a tremendous personal failure for Peter, but we should not be too hard on him. After all, we have all made big mistakes, but we are lucky that they were not recorded in the best selling book of all time. So, think twice before criticizing him too harshly.

When Jesus was crucified, the disciples were at rock bottom. They were hiding from the Roman authorities and the religious establishment. Because of their association with Jesus, they were afraid for their lives. Life looked bleak for them.

However, compare their behavior at this point to what it was only a few days later. Instead of staying in hiding, they began to boldly go into the public and proclaim the Gospel.

What could have caused such a stunning turnaround in only a few days? Christians believe it was their encounter with the resurrected Jesus.

When they encountered Jesus, all His teachings were cemented in their hearts. The hurt, pain, and fear that had been there only a few days earlier had been replaced by hope.

When the disciples went out to spread the Gospel, they understood they would face hardship and persecution. The reason they were able to do this is because they knew what they were preaching was true.

Remember, people won't willingly go out and risk their lives for something they know to be a lie (unless they are mentally disturbed).

Jesus had transformed them. And He can do the same for all of us.

The most important eight days of the year for Christians

2011-04-17T13:38:00.002-05:00

Many people recognize today as Palm Sunday, and it is meant to commemorate Jesus' final return to Jerusalem before His crucifixion and Resurrection. This kicks off a series of important observances this week that culminate with Good Friday and Easter, which is next Sunday. Obviously, these events are detailed in the Bible, but here is a list of events that chronicle Jesus' last week and the days on which they occurred. Sometimes these events feel more real when we can apply them to the day of the week on which they took place. This information comes courtesy of Love in Action: The Gospel of Mark by the David C. Cook Ministries.

Sunday (today): Jesus triumphantly enters Jerusalem and surveys the temple (Mark 11: 1-11).

Monday: Jesus clears the temple and curses a fig tree (Mark 11:12-19).

Tuesday: Jesus teaches about faith, replies to His opponents in the temple, and teaches His disciples on the Mount of Olives (Mark 11:20—13:37).

Wednesday: Nothing is recorded.

Thursday: Jesus celebrates Passover with His disciples. He goes to Gethsemane where He is arrested. (Mark 14:12-52)

Friday: Jesus is condemned by the Sanhedrin and is denied by Peter. He is handed over for crucifixion by Pontius Pilate. He dies and is buried. (Mark 14:53—15:47)

Sunday: He is risen.

GOP must think long term

2011-04-16T12:45:00.002-05:00

The events of the last few weeks in Washington infuriated the public as both Republicans and Democrats appeared silly to many while negotiating budget cuts.

Actually, these events were not silly. We have been witnessing a classic example of two parties banging heads about the path the federal government should take.

Led by President Barack Obama, Democrats have an approach that believes government can genuinely fix the problems our nation faces. While the government can help, it cannot truly solve the biggest challenges of our time. This is because our nation's biggest problems deal with its morality and no government program can heal that.

Still, I think the Democrats' hearts are in the right place though they are often misguided.

On the other hand, Republicans have been approaching our federal budget with an ax as they try to come to terms with our nation's debt. After all, the nation's debt now exceeds $14 trillion. Call me crazy, but I think that is excessive.

In 2010, voters gave control of the House of Representatives back to the Republicans primarily as a reaction to the spending of the Democrats and the Obama administration.

Republicans have been trying to use that mandate to make aggressive inroads on spending. However, make no mistake: Republicans also embrace the idea of a large federal government. Though it does not seem that way when analyzing the rhetoric they use, the Democrats were not the only party at the wheel as we drove toward the massive federal government we have now.

If Republicans in the House of Representatives are genuinely serious about reducing the size of the federal government, then the party has to change its strategy. The party must stop focusing on issues and legislation that will not be passed by the Democratically-controlled U.S. Senate or signed into law by the president.

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee recently said that Republicans should abandon their crusades against organizations like Planned Parenthood and focus on budget proposals that will gain traction with the public.

"As much as I want to see Planned Parenthood defunded...the reality is the president and the Senate are never going to go along with that so win the deal you can win and live to fight another day," Huckabee said.

If the economy continues to falter, financial matters will resonate with voters in 2012 far more than funding for Planned Parenthood and National Public Radio.

When it comes to the economy, our leaders have really set the bar low when defining what is considered progress. Last month, when it was announced that unemployment had dropped below nine percent, it was presented to us as if it was a milestone that should produce cheers.

Ironically, the blueprint for a Republican victory in 2012 was unveiled 20 years ago by then-Democratic candidate Bill Clinton.

As the 1992 race approached, he faced incumbent George Bush who was struggling because of a sputtering economy. His campaign memorably gained momentum by stating: "It's the economy, stupid."

The more the economy struggled, the more the Clinton campaign successfully criticized Bush as a president out of touch with the struggles of the average American. Clinton won the election.

Still, this may all be a moot point. As I wrote several weeks ago, I believe President Obama will be re-elected. The economy was bad when he took over, and the public will likely give him another term to figure it out.

Additionally, if voters keep a majority of Republicans in the House of Representatives, it will increase Obama's likelihood of re-election. Despite how much voters say they hate gridlock, they are also uneasy about giving one party control of both the White House and Congress.

Quote of the day: The perils of writing

2011-04-12T12:03:00.003-05:00

"Not everybody can write, but everybody thinks they can be an editor." -- Anonymous

Baseball is a glorious rite of spring

2011-04-10T13:53:00.004-05:00

Some people like the winter, but do not count me among that group. I used to like the winter a lot when I was a boy, but as time passed, I grew to resent it more and more.

The recent winter was like putting a cherry on top of a very bad hot fudge sundae. Normal winters are bad enough, but the cold and snow we experienced until mid-February made me anticipate spring like a prisoner yearns for freedom.

The bottom line is that is gone, and that is fine with me.

Springtime brings many joys with it. The most obvious one is the rebirth of nature as life replaces death. However, this is not the focus of this column.

I want to talk about Major League Baseball. Roll your eyes if you must, but spring does not start for me until the first pitch is thrown on opening day as it was on March 31.

Many people do not like baseball. They say the games are too long and meander at a pace guaranteed to cure insomnia. Living in the instant gratification society that we do, I can understand why many feel that way.

After all, if our dinners are not microwaved to a sizzle in five minutes or the problems of the day are not solved in a tidy 30-minute television program, we think something is terribly wrong.

If that is truly the mindset of the day, then three-hour baseball games must seem like trying to read War and Peace to some people.

Additionally, the Major League Baseball season covers 162 games and that is way too long for many. For many sports fans, they would prefer to have 162 pro football games and only 16 baseball games. Of course, this is impossible because there would be dead football players from Miami to Seattle if that season was significantly lengthened.

Sometimes baseball players do not do themselves any favors when it comes to how people perceive their sport. We still live in the shadows of the steroids' era, and we are currently dealing with court cases involving two of baseball's greatest players.

Slugger Barry Bonds has been in court recently because of alleged perjury the federal government says he committed when testifying before a grand jury. Pitching great Roger Clemens faces a similar trial later this summer.

It will be a major stain on the game if one or both of these men go to prison.

However, there is a lot to love about the game. My favorite part is the day-to-day nature of it. From now until October, there will be games almost every day. If it is possible to build a relationship with a sport, then baseball is the one.

It is impossible to do this with football. Football happens once a week for three hours then it is gone. Unless somebody counts the endless hot air spoken on networks like ESPN, football comes and goes like a movie.

Baseball is not that way. It gently unfolds before us and continues through the summer until it reaches its completion in early autumn. Some writers have compared the baseball season to the unfolding of a summer romance. I like that analogy because like romance the baseball season has many unexpected thrills and detours that are surprising.

I also reject the idea that the sport is boring. The most accurate adjective to describe it is 'deliberate.' Great care is undertaken when approaching the strategy of the game, and if it has the audacity to require us to be patient sometimes, then so be it.

Not everything was meant to be decided within a few minutes. This goes for sports and life.

Manchester thriving and Tullahoma dying?

2011-04-07T18:07:00.002-05:00

The recent release of U.S. census figures for Manchester and Tullahoma show one town is growing and the other is barely treading water.

Manchester's population grew to 10,102 in 2010, which is a 22 percent increase compared to its population in 2000. Tullahoma's population was fairly stagnant, growing only 3.7 percent to 18,655 people.

What does it mean? It means Manchester is enjoying the benefits of a better geographical location when compared to Tullahoma. Manchester is the county seat of Coffee County and is located along Interstate 24. This is important because Manchester is only a 30-minute drive from Murfreesboro, which has been a boomtown over the last decade.

Murfreesboro's population has now topped 100,000 and Manchester appears to be a logical choice for those not wanting to live in larger cities. Add the exposure the town gets from such events as the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival and Manchester appears to be at the right place at the right time.

While Tullahoma is a nice city, it appears adrift geographically from the areas of central Tennessee that have shown substantial growth, and I do not know what can be done about that.

If given the choice of which city to live, Manchester is the obvious place to be right now.

'The Distance' is vintage Bob Seger

2011-04-05T18:40:00.003-05:00

Bob Seger has a fascinating catalogue of albums. Ranging from the 1960s until the present, he has produced memorable ballads as well as some great rock and roll.

Even though he began recording in the '60s, he did not break through commercially until the mid-70s with the live record 'Live' Bullet. The live album concept is not a favorite of mine, but that was one that really worked. Because of the long time between the start of his career and his breakthrough, the public missed a lot of really good music that is never heard on the radio. Of those early albums, seek out Smokin' O.P.'s and Mongrel. They are fascinating examples of a gifted artist finding his voice.

The Distance was released in 1982 and came on the heels of a lot of commercial success. After breaking through with 'Live' Bullet, Seger followed it up with Night Moves and Stranger in Town. Both are filled with big hits and are among the best albums of the '70s. However, after those two he released Against the Wind. Though another commercial success, the quality dipped. The songs sounded forced (like 'The Horizontal Bop'), and there was a malaise to the record that was undeniable.

Seger's career was at an interesting crossroad at this point. After tasting success after all those years of struggle, was he beginning to lose his edge and motivation? The Distance provided a convincing answer to that question and stands as one of the best albums of his career.

The album explodes from the start with 'Even Now' much in the same way as 'Hollywood Nights' did on Stranger in Town. Seger pays homage to his home in Detroit with 'Makin’ Thunderbirds' and questions the pitfalls of fame in 'Boomtown Blues.'

The big hit from the album was his version of Rodney Crowell's 'Shame on the Moon.' However, the strongest track on this set is 'Roll Me Away.' The song begins with Seger questioning who he was and what he was doing. It ended with him vowing to do his best until he gets things right. Propelled by the piano of the E Street Band's Roy Bittan, it is one of Seger's greatest.

This album is rock and roll at its best.

I'm very, very sick

2011-04-02T13:36:00.003-05:00

As I write this, I am not feeling well. I get sick every six months or so and that is the case right now.

My head is pounding, and I don't want anything to eat. How is it possible to feel so cold but still be sweating? I guess anything is possible in the mysterious universe of our bodies.

My big concern is that when I get sick, I have a tendency to whine. So, my goal for this posting is to not come across as a whiner. Therefore, I need to focus on topics that put life into perspective.

But, where to begin? An obvious place is Japan. If there is one situation that should make us feel humble, it is what is happening in Japan. As of now, the official death toll is more than 10,000, but it is expected to climb to between 25,000 and 30,000.

Earthquakes, tsunamis, and nuclear radiation have dominated the lives of the Japanese. I keep trying to put this into some kind of perspective as it relates to Tennessee, but I have not been successful.

I know the flood that hit Nashville last May was bad, but imagine if that flood had been accompanied by an earthquake that caused toxic radiation of some sort to be released. Perhaps that analogy comes close, but I am not sure.

Experts now believe the tsunami wave was likely as high as 77 feet tall. I can't imagine what it must have felt like to see a wall of water that big engulf the land. The bottom line is the people of northern Japan have a lot of work ahead of them, and we should all be looking for ways to help them.

There are no simple solutions for the hardships they are enduring.

The military action in Libya is also dominating a large portion of the international landscape, but I must confess that I have mixed feelings about it.

On the one hand, I have no compassion for Muammar Gaddafi, and the sooner he is driven from power the better. He has had it too good for too long.

Gaddafi has promised a long battle and to hold out to the bitter end. Of course, what he forgot to say is that he will be doing this hiding in one of his palaces, kneeling under his desk. His idea of fighting to the bitter end is for others to die on his behalf. My guess is that he will agree to go into exile in another country if the going gets too tough.

However, what guarantees do we have that the rebels fighting Gaddafi in Libya will be any better than him? They have offered no concrete guarantees that they are interested in democracy. Could we replacing one poison with another? Maybe.

Also, I have not heard the term "war" used a lot to describe America's effort in this action. I have heard it described more as a "humanitarian" effort to help the people of Libya.

This may be so, but why didn't we intervene in all the misery going on in Sudan in recent years? If ever there was a place that needed humanitarian help along these lines, it was Sudan. Maybe that country did not have a crazy dictator that everybody could rally around to dislike.

I could go on and on when it comes to world events that should sharpen our perspective.

There will always be troubles in the world, and every once in a while, they will come our way. As the old saying goes, there is a season for everything (both good and bad).

If nothing else, I am not feeling quite so sick any more.

Cuonzo Martin looks like good fit as new coach for Tennessee men's basketball

2011-03-28T19:01:00.003-05:00

Cuonzo Martin was officially announced as new men's basketball coach at Tennessee today, and I like what I see. I know there has been some hand-wringing by some of the Big Orange faithful, but we need to give him a chance.

His resume looks good to me. He was 61-41 at Missouri State, including a 26-9 record this year. His team won the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) regular season title. The team would have gone to the NCAA tourney but was upset in the finals of the conference tournament by Indiana State. He was also named MVC Coach of the Year this season.

I know some fans are disappointed that the Vols did not land a coach with a bigger name or more experience. I can see their point. However, Tennessee's options are hampered by the impending penalties from the NCAA. Even though the Tennessee job is a good one, not many coaches want to walk into a program going on probation. Give Martin credit for that.

The bottom line is we got a good coach. Not many Tennessee people had heard of Bruce Pearl before he came here. Like I wrote in the first paragraph, let's give Martin a chance. He is our coach and deserves our support.

Westboro is the worst

2011-03-26T17:03:00.002-05:00

The freedom of speech guaranteed us by the first amendment is precious, and we should never take it for granted. In many ways, it is probably the most unique freedom we enjoy in America.

After all, Americans have opinions and are often not shy about expressing them. This freedom provides us a forum to have thoughtful and meaningful discussions about important topics.

It also allows people to blow off steam and state points of view that are not well informed. While this can be frustrating, it comes with the territory in a country that cherishes free speech.

However, the worst situations come when people do actions or say words that are so offensive that it is difficult to control our emotions. An example of a situation like this involves the antics of the Westboro Baptist Church based in Topeka, Kan.

Led by Fred Phelps, the group has gained notoriety in recent years by how it protests what is going on in the world as it applies to religion. Specifically, it has protested at the funerals of soldiers killed serving our country in the Iraqi and Afghanistan wars.

Standing outside the services, the protesters hold signs that say 'Thank God for dead soldiers' and similar messages.

I think most people find these protests offensive both in tone and timing. My goodness, how can anybody believe that protesting at the funeral of a soldier is appropriate? Attacking people when they are grieving is about as low as it gets.

Phelps' group justifies its actions by stating that these deaths are a result of God's judgment against America for the moral decay our country is experiencing. While I do not believe anybody would disagree that moral decay is going on in our country, the Phelps' group clearly is incorrect in how it expresses itself and many of its ideas are just plain wrong.

The church has not limited its protests to soldiers, but also has targeted other Christians, Jews, and homosexuals. For a fairly small group, they get around.

For most Christians, this church is a great source of frustration. After all, most people just generically lump people of this faith into one category. Therefore, when a group acts like this, many blame all Christians for their behavior.

This is really unfortunate. Christianity is a beautiful faith, and beauty will always attract more people than the type of venom delivered by Phelps’ group. Unfortunately, the Westboro Baptist Church does not realize this and are truly driving people away from God.

Phelps has been taken to court in recent years about his group's tactics, and earlier this year, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld his rights by an 8-1 vote in one of these cases.

The Court reaffirmed what most of us already know. Despite the offensiveness of the group’s actions, it does have the right to protest in this manner.

I hate to admit it, but groups like these do make our country stronger in some respects. As a nation, if we can continue to function despite the counter-productive actions of these people, then I believe that makes our country better.

Do not get me wrong. If I came across this group protesting at a soldier's funeral, I would have to resist the strong urge to punch them all in the mouth. I do not like their approach and what they are doing.

I guess the best approach to this is to remember that the first amendment is a two-way street. Just as that group has the right to protest, we also have the right to oppose them and point them out for who they really are.

Remember, tolerance goes both ways. The Westboro Baptist Church would do well to remember that.

Lots of upsets in the NCAA basketball tourney so far

2011-03-21T18:24:00.005-05:00

The NCAA men's basketball tourney has only 16 teams remaining, so here is a look at how my pre-tourney picks have done. On the bright side, all four teams I picked for the Final Four are still alive. I picked Kansas, Florida, Connecticut, and Ohio State, and I have Kansas winning the title. On the bad side, I only picked eight of the Sweet 16 teams correctly. I know there have been a lot of upsets, and that is to be expected in the tourney. However, several of the games I have lost were very close, and frankly, I'm quite bitter.

A lively dinner party

2011-03-19T12:47:00.003-05:00

At one time or another, we have all wondered what it would be like to meet famous people from history. However, why not take this thought one step further?

Suppose a person could host a dinner party and choose four people from history as the only guests. Who would they choose?

I had some spare time this week, and my mind drifted to this topic. My choices surprised me a little bit, so here is who I would invite and why.

My first invitation would be to Jesus Christ. Whether or not a person is a Christian, there can be no disputing His impact on history. His teachings have shaped the personal conduct of billions of people for the last 2,000 years and will hopefully continue to do so.

Even atheists have been touched by Him though I am sure many of them would not admit it. Especially as the Easter season approaches, it would be wonderful to spend an evening with Him and just have a conversation.

My next invitation would be to President Abraham Lincoln. When reviewing our nation's history, it would be difficult to find a more important person. Lincoln steered the country through its worst moments.

Given the freedom we currently enjoy, it is difficult to fully appreciate the challenges Lincoln faced during his presidency. Obviously, our country is going through a lot of strife right now, but it is not in the same universe when compared to the Civil War.

Lincoln literally gave his life so that our country could be preserved. He had to watch as America tore itself apart so it could be rebuilt again.

Without a leader of his caliber, our country might be much different today. If he had failed, the United States likely would have splintered into several countries, and we would look like Europe today.

For that alone, we should be grateful. Who would want to be Europe?

The next person I would invite is former baseball player Bill Buckner. Sports can be cruel especially if somebody gets labeled a goat for a mistake that costs his team a big game.

This happened to Buckner in the 1986 World Series when he played first base for the Boston Red Sox. During game six, he let a ground ball roll between his legs that allowed the winning run to score. If he had made the play, Boston would have won the Series. Because of his misplay, a seventh game was played that Boston also lost, and the New York Mets became world champion.

Even though Boston finally won a World Series in 2004 and 2007, Buckner still gets unfairly treated.

After all, one play does not win or lose games. A mistake in the first inning of a game can be as costly as one in the last inning. Also, people conveniently forget that Boston had a three-run lead in game seven of that series, but let it slip away. And Buckner had nothing to do with that.

Because of this mistreatment, I think I would like to be Buckner's friend.

The fourth person I would invite is Adolf Hitler. I know this is sounds controversial, but hear me out. Obviously, Hitler was an evil man. There is nothing about him that is to be admired. He dedicated his life to unleashing unspeakable horrors on mankind, and he was despicable.

However, to truly understand good, I think a person has to try to understand evil. What would it be like to look into his eyes? Imagine what Jesus would say to him. I don't know what He would say, but I know it would be memorable and perfect.

It would definitely be a lively conversation.

Hairstyle Hall of Fame: Oscar Gamble

2011-03-17T18:50:00.003-05:00

Oscar Gamble was a good major league outfielder who played from 1969-85. His batting average was .265 for his career, and he hit 200 home runs. He played for the Cubs, Phillies, Indians, Yankees, White Sox, Padres, and Rangers.

However, he is most remembered for the towering afro he wore in the 1970s. I don't miss much about that decade, but I miss his hairstyle.

Japanese earthquake, tsunami bring perspective

2011-03-14T18:41:00.002-05:00

Life can get us all down at some point. However, the earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan last week should provide a little perspective for us all. Life can change in an instant for both good and bad though what is going on in Japan is about as bad as it gets. If you are going through a tough season, hang in there because it will get better. If life is good for you right now, remain humble because the tide eventually turns for us all.

Charlie Sheen and an over-emphasis on Hollywood

2011-03-12T12:03:00.004-06:00

For as long as Hollywood has been producing movies and television shows, a large portion of the American population has been fascinated by it.

I like being entertained as much as the next person, but I have never quite understood the celebrity worship that takes place in our country.

There is nothing wrong with being a fan of a particular artist. However, we cross the line when every movement or word spoken by that person is treated like national news.

The latest celebrity under the white-hot spotlight of scrutiny is Charlie Sheen. Sheen first came to prominence in the 1980s in such excellent films as 'Platoon' and 'Wall Street.'

Since then, he has had an up and down career. In recent years, he has had a lot of success on the television comedy 'Two and a Half Men.'

Of course, his personal life has been the subject of intense study in recent weeks by both the media and the public. With his apparent fondness for partying, he has apparently fallen into the abyss and appears in desperate need of a life preserver.

I have never watched 'Two and a Half Men,' but if his alleged behavior is true, I guess he is the one who is really the 'half a man' from that show.

Still, it is important to avoid taking cheap shots like the one I took in the previous paragraph. Because as much as we would like to deny it, we can not know for certain how we would react if we found ourselves in his shoes.

This is one of these situations where we really need to look in the mirror. If we have any genuine humility within ourselves, we would have to acknowledge that we are capable of falling into the same abyss that he allegedly has.

How would I react if millions of people told me how great I am? How would I react if lots of beautiful women were at my disposal? How would I react if I got paid millions of dollars just to do my job?

If I am honest, I would have to concede the possibility that it could impact my behavior. If people kept telling me that I was fabulous, chances are that I would wake up one day and believe that I could do no wrong.

While Sheen has nobody but himself to blame for some of what he is going through, the public has to be considered contributors to this situation. We are an odd country. There is something about us that is fascinated by watching celebrities struggle.

I do not understand it. It is like we love to build people up, but if they fall, we start kicking them when they hit the ground. Hollywood is a community that is known for its ruthlessness and lack of compassion. It appears this attitude trickles to the public when it comes to people who go astray.

Compassion can be difficult to muster when we see people struggle that appear to have all the advantages. When somebody has money, power, charisma, good looks, and popularity, it is a lot easier to not have patience with them.

However, should we not all strive to treat people the same no matter what their status in life is? Rich people and poor people may not have the same types of problems, but I think we would all agree that every one of us have problems.

I know I appreciate it when the people in my life show patience with me when I make bad decisions that make me look like a blithering idiot.

The bottom line is the way we treat people says a lot about us.

We would do well if we remembered that.

'Ding Dong' mixed nuts now the official nuts of 'The Nightly Daily'

2011-03-07T18:25:00.003-06:00

The Nightly Daily is proud to announce that 'Ding Dong' mixed nuts is now the official mixed nuts of this blog. A friend of mine recently purchased them at an international market in Nashville, and the one bag I ate convinced me that this product needs wider exposure.

Imported from the Philippines, the snack is a mixture of cornick, green peas, cracker nuts, peanuts and fava beans. While the snack is satisfying, I must confess my fixation with it has more to do with its name.

How in the world did they arrive at the name 'Ding Dong'? Is the taste of the nuts supposed to be so potent that we should hear a doorbell in our heads when we eat them? Or is there a more sinister meaning?

I don't know. My guess is that this is another example of a foreign entity trying to enter the American market without a firm grasp on our culture. Therefore, they came up with what they thought was a clever name that would catch our attention.

However, that is pure speculation on my part. The important thing is we must remember that it is all about the nuts.

So, when you think of mixed nuts, always think: 'Ding Dong'!

Tennessee men's basketball program awaits NCAA hammer

2011-03-05T12:32:00.004-06:00

The relationship between big-time college athletics and the educational mission of universities has always been a curious one.

When looking from a purely logical point of view, they do not appear to have much in common. While most would agree that sports should play some role on campuses, the news regarding athletics often dwarfs achievements in education.

Of course, we do not live in a purely logical world. Our emotions work in tandem with our logical side to determine what is important. For this reason, sports are very important to many when looking at the overall picture of college life.

For those doubting this, the hoopla regarding the NCAA's notice of allegations against the University of Tennessee's athletic program should have driven this point home. It was big news that dominated statewide media, and that is saying something when considering all that has been going on in the world lately.

As a graduate of the school and supporter of the athletic program, the allegations are embarrassing. The most severe relate to the men's basketball program and Head Coach Bruce Pearl.

The NCAA alleges that Pearl and his staff broke rules, and that Pearl lied to an NCAA investigator about this. The program is also accused of other violations, including issues involving the football team. Breaking rules is bad enough, but lying to the NCAA in an attempt to cover up misdeeds is a remarkable lack of judgment.

As in most cases in life, the cover up is often worse than the original mistake. Because of this, do not expect the NCAA to go easy on the program when penalties are announced later this year.

Penalties could range from a loss of scholarships to a ban on participating in the NCAA tournament for the next year or two. Pearl's mistakes could literally cost the program millions of dollars if the team cannot play in the NCAA tourney next year.

Because of the severity of these issues, many wonder why Pearl still has his job. Most coaches would have been fired if linked to this type of activity. But, so far, Pearl has survived.

Still, Pearl's situation is not as clear cut as it seems. It is important to remember that he did a lot of good for the university in recent years.

When he came here, he took over one of the most underachieving programs in the nation. Almost overnight, he turned the team into a winner. This resulted in good publicity for the school and brought in lots of money. Thompson-Boling Arena went from being a half-empty barn to a packed house for most games.

Do not underestimate the importance of this. There is often a direct connection between a school's athletic success and the amount of donations it receives from alumni.

For example, when Northwestern University's long suffering football team underwent a resurgence in 1995, financial giving to the school went through the roof. For that school, a Big 10 championship and a trip to the Rose Bowl resulted in big bucks.

Up until this scandal, Pearl was wildly popular among University of Tennessee supporters and was considered a goodwill ambassador for the school. Now, this is all in tatters.

The bottom line is Coach Pearl is hanging on by a thread, and one more mistake will send him out the door. To paraphrase an old cliché, his tenure at Tennessee has one foot in the grave and the other foot is on a banana peel.

In many ways, the party is over. However, the possibility of redemption remains. We have all failed at some point, but we have had the luxury of not doing it in a public forum.

Times like these define a person's life. For Pearl, he can either fall into the abyss or commit to getting his career back on track.

Let's hope he chooses well.

Important announcement

2011-03-03T18:48:00.001-06:00

Tonight, I had white beans and cornbread for supper. It was really good.

Thank you for your time and attention.

Sunlight and Shadows

2011-02-28T18:25:00.007-06:00

Egyptian revolution far from over

2011-02-26T13:21:00.003-06:00

The events in Egypt during the last few weeks have been breathtaking to watch. Old leaders do not go gently into that good night, and former president Hosni Mubarak was no exception as he tried to avoid being ousted from power.

However, he finally let go, and the Egyptian people got what they said they wanted. The big question now is whether or not the country will move toward democracy or another form of government.

Right now, the military is in charge. While that may help the country remain stable, I wonder how easy it will be to get power away from it in the long run.

The country remains months away from having any type of election. Frankly, the people appear more interested in partying in their newfound freedom than making tough decisions about the country's future.

Because of this, the military will have plenty of time to become even more entrenched. I may be guilty of stereotyping, but it often seems that when the military gains control of a poor country it is very reluctant to let it go. The Egyptian military had a large say in how the country was run when Mubarak was in power. Now, it may be unstoppable.

If this is the case, the Egyptian people may some day look back at the reign of Mubarak as the good old days. Let us pray this is not the case.

If the country does move toward a representative democracy similar to the United States, it is important that the people there understand that its transformation will not take place overnight.

When studying how different parts of the world view the United States, it appears that many lack an understanding of how much hard work it takes to make our country function.

This is understandable because the information they get about us comes through a media filter. For many, the United States is nothing more than an episode of Baywatch. Sun, surf, and beautiful women are the order of the day in this version of America.

Of course, we know better. When Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, our country did not just skate through all the growing pains that a new country goes through.

For instance, the Declaration of Independence was written in 1776, but approximately 40 years later we were still at war with the British. They burned the presidential mansion in 1814 in one of the most humbling moments of our country's history.

For the Egyptian people, there will be no shortcuts, and they must discipline themselves. While they are enjoying more liberty, they must understand that liberty without discipline often leads to chaos.

Despite our differences here in America, many of us understand that we must discipline ourselves and be willing to pull together for the common good. Of course, not everybody does that, but most of us do.

If the Egyptians become complacent and simply want to wallow in their freedom, it will be short lived. The Middle East is too volatile a place for that approach to succeed for very long.

The bottom line is that the path Egypt takes in the coming months will impact all of the Middle East. While the military has stated it will honor existing treaties with countries like Israel, there are no guarantees this will remain permanent.

Additionally, the seeds of revolution have already spread to other countries in that region. Big changes are under way in Libya. Other countries like Jordan and Iran could be next on the chopping block when it comes to significant unrest.

Iran is the less likely of those two to see genuine change. This is because the leadership will not hesitate to crack skulls if things get too out of hand.

Expect more bloodshed to come.

Easter is April 24, but it is not too early to start thinking about it

2011-02-21T18:25:00.003-06:00

The Easter holiday falls late this year and will be observed on April 24. I know that seems like a long time away, but we need to begin focusing on it now.

After all, the focus on Christmas begins weeks in advance, and it is not as significant as Easter. This is not meant as a slap at Christmas. It is a wonderful time of year, and the event it celebrates is critical to Christianity.

However, the Resurrection of Jesus is the most important event of Christianity. More and more people have begun calling this holiday Resurrection Sunday instead of Easter. It certainly seems more fitting. With no Resurrection, everybody could just stay in bed on Sunday mornings because this faith would be a complete fraud. Without the Resurrection of Jesus, He would be another false prophet. I know that sounds blunt, but it is the truth.

So, as the weeks unfold, let us try to focus on its approaching. I know we are all busy people, and our lives move at a breakneck speed. However, if we can make time for a multi-week build up to Christmas, why can't we do the same for Easter?

Obviously, the tone of the two holidays is completely different. Still, there are long-term ways to prepare for Easter. I will not map out a list of suggestions for you all because I think you must follow your own hearts.

The most important point right now is that we begin our preparation. If we do not, it will come and go with such speed it will be nothing more than a blip on the radar.

When we consider the events that led up to the Resurrection (betrayal, rejection, crucifixion, and more), I think we would all agree that this needs to be more than just one day of reflection.

A taste of early spring

2011-02-19T17:25:00.002-06:00

This has been a great winter for those who enjoy snow. Most weeks, there has been a chance of snow and more often than not we have gotten some of the white stuff.

There have been flurries, small snows and large snows (by Tennessee standards, anyway). There have been nuisance snows that have only disrupted our lives a little bit. Then, there have been deep snows that have caused a lot of problems especially if a person has been caught far from home.

For instance, I work in Davidson County so I have had my eyes on the skies quite often this season. The Weather Channel's web site has been an invaluable resource during this time. A delayed decision of only a few minutes can mean the difference between a smooth ride home and having to dodge slick spots in the rural areas of Interstate 24.

In the last couple of weeks, I have reached the inescapable conclusion that I am sick of snow. As a child I yearned for it, and as an adult, I have tolerated it. This year, it has provoked angst and gnashing of teeth.

I am confident this will only be a temporary situation. Next winter, if snow is in short supply, I am sure I will become anxious to see it again and will complain if it does not come.

However, for the time being, I am fed up with it.

Fortunately, we have gotten a break from this the last few days. We have had temperatures at or above normal. Because of this, my mind has been wandering to the upcoming spring.

During the day, temperatures will become warm enough to wear shorts while the evenings will remain cool enough so we have to keep an extra blanket on the bed. A perfect weather day is when it is cool enough to wear a sweatshirt while warm enough to wear shorts. It is a perfect blend of what nature has to offer.

Of course, I am not naïve enough to believe that winter has gently slipped into the background. History shows us that March has plenty of teeth when it comes to winter weather.

In recent history, the March Superstorm of 1993 dumped more than 10 inches of snow on us here locally. In an ironic twist, this was on the same weekend that the Coffee County girls' basketball team won the state championship.

Instead of being at the game, I can remember listening to it on the radio. And it was all because of the snow.

My advice is that we not let our guards down because I have a feeling winter still has some tricks up its sleeve. As unpredictable as the season has been, there is no reason to believe that there will not be one more big snowfall dumped on us.

If that happens, that will be a sad day. Of course, there is tremendous irony in my feelings on this. Even after all the snow we have seen, watching it fall from the sky is still one of the most beautiful sights in the world.

Much like a dog sticks his head out the window of a moving car, I cannot stop looking outside when it is snowing.

As it falls, thoughts are not about the hazards the flakes will cause. The flakes seem like small, beautiful works of art. It is art so beautiful that it would be a sin not to appreciate their beauty.

Then, of course, the snow stops falling, and I walk outside and slip and fall. At this point, reality trumps art, and my thoughts go back to spring again.

It is about one month until spring. Let us hope that we have an early one.

Quote of the day: From the film 'Rushmore'

2011-02-14T18:59:00.002-06:00

(Speech to the students of Rushmore Academy): "You guys have it real easy. I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget that. Thank you." – spoken by the character 'Herman Blume' as portrayed by Bill Murray in the film Rushmore.

Brace yourself...It's Valentine's Day

2011-02-12T15:51:00.002-06:00

At this moment, less than 48 hours remain until one of the most important days of the year for the men of America.

No, I am not referring to the Super Bowl because that was last Sunday. I am talking about Valentine's Day.

It is the one day of the year that is specifically set aside so men can show the special lady in their lives just how they feel about them. Of course, men should do that every day, but extra emphasis is put on this day.

I know the holiday also applies to women. However, since I am a man, I guess I see this from a man's point of view. After all, men have 364 days to prepare for this day. So, there is no way we can possibly blow this, right?

Well, this is where things get a little tricky. It can become tough to remain creative year after year after year. A traditional box of chocolates and flowers are nice, but deep down, I think all of us understand that ladies want to be swept off their feet.

The timing of Valentine's Day is bad this year because it falls on a Monday. Monday is easily the least romantic day of the week. It is the day most of us trudge back to work or school, and we are exhausted by the time the evening arrives.

Because of this, I know a lot of couples are celebrating the holiday this weekend. This is a good strategy in some ways. It eliminates having to deal with the distractions Mondays can bring. Plus, celebrating this on the weekend provides better opportunities for going out on the town.

However, I have some friendly advice for my fellow men. Even if we celebrate the holiday today, we still must do something really special on Monday.

It does not matter if both parties involved agree that this weekend will be their Valentine's weekend. Trust me; a little extra attention on Monday will be what is remembered most.

For example, celebrating Valentine's Day today instead of on Feb. 14 is kind of like opening Christmas presents on Dec. 22. It is still fun, but it is not the same.

Nope, Feb. 14 is the day. Therefore, it is important that men step it up Monday regardless of what takes place over the weekend.

Now, I understand that this will require a remarkable display of willpower for some. But look at it this way: it has been a dreadful winter with the abundance of snow and cold weather we have had.

We need all the warmth we can get right now. And this includes warming the heart of those closest to you.

Cynics may say that Valentine's Day is just another manufactured holiday meant to separate us from our money. I feel sorry for those people.

I do not necessarily disagree that it is a manufactured holiday, but any day that gets us to focus more on love can not be that bad.

When we read and watch the evening news, it seems the last thing on people's minds right now is love.

In recent weeks, there have been riots in the streets of countries around the world. More and more, we appear to be at each other's throats. While it appears to be part of our human nature to destroy each other, loving each other is also part of who we are.

It is not always easy to love though. It is a lot easier to love those who love us than those who do not.

Still, we have to try. In many ways, it is our last hope. Once love goes, then everything else goes with it.

'Band on the Run' easily Paul McCartney's best post-Beatles' work

2011-02-08T13:19:00.004-06:00

The four men who were the Beatles all made excellent and mediocre music at various points of their solo careers. We cannot fault them for that. Most consider the band the greatest of all time, and it is only logical that there would be a drop off in their output.

In the aftermath of the band's break up, Paul McCartney came stumbling out of the gate. After coming up with gems like 'Get Back' and 'Let It Be' in 1969-70, it seems he lost his muse for a while. Only 'Maybe I’m Amazed,' which appeared on his first solo album McCartney, approached his Beatles' standard in the period from mid-1970 to early-1973. 'My Love' was a big hit, but its lyrics were so sweet that they likely produced cavities for millions of people around the world. Also, 'Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey' was another hit, but it had more style than content. 'Mary Had a Little Lamb' was just plain lightweight.

Considering McCartney's track record, it was only a matter of time before he would break out of it in a big way and that happened with 1973's Band on the Run. A huge critical and commercial success, it is an essential album from that time period.

The album is listed as a 'Paul McCartney and Wings' album, but make no mistake, this is Paul's show all the way. Shortly before traveling to Nigeria where this album was made, two of the members of Wings bailed out. This left McCartney with the additional chores of playing drums and other instruments, and he delivered a remarkable performance.

The title song introduced recurring themes of the album that revolved around independence, freedom, and escape. The song is actually in five parts, and the key phrase – 'if we ever get out of here' -- was something said by George Harrison in a business meeting during the final days of the Beatles, according to Nicolas Schaffner's excellent book The Beatles Forever.

Additionally, the song 'Helen Wheels' chronicled McCartney's first tour of England after the Beatles' split. 'Jet' was another big hit, but the most interesting song on the album may be 'Let Me Roll It.'

In the aftermath of the Beatles' break up, McCartney and John Lennon had jousted several times through song. The most devastating song in this feud was Lennon's powerful 'How Do You Sleep?' from his Imagine album in 1971. In the song, Lennon denounced McCartney for the mediocre music he had been producing and wondered if he had anything of substance left to offer.

'Let Me Roll It' added another chapter to their conversation but with a twist. The musical arrangement was a clear parody of Lennon's 1970 album Plastic Ono Band. Using a sparse arrangement with only keyboards, bass, primitive guitar, and drums, Paul projected his feelings to Lennon. However, instead of attacking Lennon, Paul acknowledged his contribution to his life. The lyrics and overall tone of the song had to have been a relief to Beatles' fans who were tired of all the bickering. It was during this time that the relations between Paul and the others had begun to thaw. It also fed rumors of a possible reunion, which, of course, never came.

Though he has produced some great solo work, Band on the Run remains McCartney's best album. Tug of War and Venus and Mars are both excellent albums, but Band on the Run gets the edge as the best.

McCartney is a legend, and there is no denying that. Band on the Run is a reminder of his greatness.